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""We could do that, or we set out now and head to the marsh edge, then camp for the night. If we're lucky, the goblins come to us and we can snag one."
"We'd have to be really lucky," Radjiik objects. "I don't see how we could snag one in the dark. I don't know about bug repellant, but torches probably won't be great in a marsh. We'll be better off with a lantern. And possibly a compass."
Dominic idly points toward the north, North's that way, we don't need a compass if we stay together. Desna always guides my way I guess, always know how to find a way home by where I saw the stars last.
Thinking a moment, Maybe we could get a start in that direction and camp out. I could definitely use some bug repellent before we go into the swamps. I can conjure magical light if we can't get torches to catch in the swamp as a recourse. I'd be fine with that.
I can call Desna's blessing on a number of us to keep us moving quicker out there too, but only for some, I don't suppose anyone has a horse?
As someone used to work over nights, I must confess I'm comfortable dwelling under the cold late hours. - spoke Akatsu, used to the shifted hours required to work as a gravedigger - However, I could bet the little green guys are even more comfortable.
He approached the group, amicably touching Dominic at his shoulder.
If I may suggest, we should seek unguents to deal with the usual flies and diseases the swamps can bring, and do it now, but save the exploration for the hours of the day when all of us would be at full capacity. Torches and lanterns will just serve to mark us in the dark to be the target of goblins... Or something worse.
As the party moved a discreet distance away from the working fishermen, one of the elder men continued to watch their animated conversation as his gnarled fingers worked the knots on his old, large fishing net. Placing the net down carefully lest it knot anew, the fisherman moved to his waterproof sack and withdrew something. As it seemed to conversation was getting quieter, the elder fisherman moved toward the party of six and cleared his throat.
"Pardon me, you may need these if you mean to visit the marsh. You're doing the town a service, so it's best that you're prepared and we do what we can to aid you."
"It'll help with the bugs and biters," he chuckled as he handed the six vials to Dominic before making his way back to his net and companions. Calling over his shoulder, he added, one last time, "May Gozreh protect you."
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"Many thanks, neighbor. We'll see about making this place just a little bit safer for everyone. "
Dargu tucks the ointment into a pouch and nods to the fishermen.
Zyren also thanks the elder fisherman for his generosity.
Thank you so much, this will help us out a lot!
She places the vial in a pouch on her bandolier.
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Thank you, may Desna's blessing guide your catch tomorrow! Dominic greets the fisherman, placing the vermin repellent into his pack.
It may be nice to reach the shack if we can today, but I suppose a camp by the edge of the swamp will do if that's what we can manage eh? Dominic sets foot in front of the other with the party, slowing himself periodically to keep pace with the group, as if his feet are impatient to reach their destination.
Once they reach the edge of town, he pauses the group for a brief moment. Cousins, friends, let us stop on this moment and consider all that comes before us. We will be venturing into something we don't expect I'm sure and before we go I would like to offer a brief prayer to Desna to guide our steps. I won't ask you to offer any specific prayers, but just to exist in this moment with me. Dominic holds out his hands inviting the group to gather in a circle.
Desna, we will seek new things together, we will wander the roads of our homeland this day and seek out to make the ways safer for those who seek to explore. Guide our footsteps and our minds to new wonders, give us stars to steer by, and a fair wind at our backs to make the journey more pleasant. He bows his head with his eyes closed, allowing for anyone else to share their words, or just have quiet thoughts themselves. After a moment, he raises his eyes and his head, looking at his companions, Desna, be with us today as we journey in the ways of my people, and in the ways of all people who love the open road.
"In the Song of the Skies."
Dargu bows his head as Dominic prays, intoning the traditional response to the priest after he finishes.
"Moving faster will be good. My armor slows me down enough that most folks can get away from me."
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After agreeing on a general plan regarding their impending trek to Brinestump Marsh, Dominic undertook a Desnan blessing to improve their travel on the open road and the party made their way out of Sandpoint; across the wooden bridge to stand on the Lost Coast Road; the light, salt-tinged breeze brushing their faces.
The Lost Coast Road was often toted as a scenic trail, but at times, it was little more than a winding footpath through the countryside. It was ill-kept, so it was a little rocky with patches of rainwater trapped in pot holes on the clay/sandy road.
The weather remained bright and clear, and, as the sun rose higher in the sky so did the temperature .
Occasionally patrols were made along the Lost Coast Road, however, with the reduced number of town guards, there were long stretches of road left unprotected. The six adventurers kept a vigilant eye on the surrounding wild/untamed territory - hoping to spot impending threats in the form of bandits, goblins or wild animals. Fortunately, there was none to be seen at this time. Only a lone gull above them gave a loud cry as it passed by.
About midway in their travel , the party stopped for a rest by one of the small shrines to Desna (such shrines marked the road every twenty four miles along its length). Taking water and scanning the sodden surrounds, the party set forth again, determined to reach the New Fish Trail in an hour's time. The Lost Coast Road was not as busy in this section; the party only passing a traveller or two since they set forth from town.
Continuing to walk at a steady, consistent pace, the party arrived within the allotted time They stood on the side of the Lost Coast Road, close to the northern edge of the marsh, where a partially obscured, informal, weathered marker pointed the turn for the New Fish Trail.
Looking down the desired 'entrance' , the group could mark a five foot wide trail with a sprinkling of leafy ground cover to start with and looking a little more sodden and tangled with rising roots and stinging nettles as it progressed. On the edge of the marsh, off the trail itself, the party noticed switch grass, cattails and reeds, buzzing insects, and, with a gust of wind caught the slightly unpleasant smell of decay coming from the wet mud just near the entrance.
Those within the party with keener sight have noted the gauzy tendrils of mist winding along the path around fifty feet down and across the thick/overgrown vegetation on either side of the wetland.
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Dargu watches Radjiik look for tracks and directs his attention to finding a relatively defensible camp area.
"This spot over here should give us a good lookout, plus with the marsh and scrub oaks to our back it will help with the wind. If we are gonna stay here and push in the morning, I'd say this is where we should set up."
Dargu finds some fallen branches and sticks, beginning to lay in firewood for the night.
Watching the Shoanti and his cousin search the area for anything whic may be hazardous, Dominic will busy himself with setting up camp, digging a quick fire pit and the like. It may be a long way yet to Walthus' so I suppose camping here and getting a decent start in the morning is a good way to be about it.
Once settled, Dominic will set a bolt into his crossbow, and prepare for the evening. He will happily assist with camp chores and the cooking and cleaning, A full belly and tidy camp makes for an easy morning.
Zyren starts helping set up camp.
Flori seems to be in her element helping to set up camp and check for traps, humming to herself as she goes.
She clamours for an evening tale from Zyren. "You know Zyren, it would be excellent practise for your auditions if you could deliver us a good tale."
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The next morning Flori is one of the last up and is much less talkative than the night before. This is not unusual for those who know her - she is not a morning person.
"I'm happy for me and Dargu to take the lead up ahead, we've got the skills between us. Is anyone confident to lead up at the rear?" She says with a grin, lightly elbowing her brother in a friendly fashion to ensure he agrees.
"You bet! You take point and I'll come up second, javelin at the ready. Then we can keep Dominic in the middle so his magic can make me faster, eh?"
In between bites of their evening meal, Zyren tells an exciting story of adventure that she vaguely remembers from one of her past lives.
I'll take first watch she says.
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I'd prefer to go towards the front, my friend. - says Akatsu, answering Radjiik and Flori - I'm sure Dargu will protect me!
When Zyren talked about splitting the watch shifts, he also gave his opinion.
I will take the middle watch. - the monk starts - My eyes are used to the dark, and I don't know enough about spells that would require my sleep hours to be continuous.
Radjiik, Dargu and Flori worked expertly together to set up camp for the night, knowing full well that the clouds would settle low in the sky before sunset and once the sun fell the light rains would begin and continue until the dawn. Combining what resources/gear they carried with them, the party settled on a part of the marsh's edge that had a large canopied tree and the slope of the ground would help with the rainwater running away from their camp and fire pit. Collecting dry kindling material: sticks, thick branches, leaves and tree bark, they secured them so they would not get wet/sodden during the night's rain. A cover made of thick branches was placed over the fire pit, high enough over it so it would not catch flame yet it would protect the wood from getting wet and extinguishing the fire. No strange or suspicious tracks or traps could be discerned on the edge of the New Fish Trail leading down into Brinestump Marsh. Those on watch during the course of the night attempted to keep the fire burning, especially when the fog rolled in and lay over the area in a thick blanket, blocking sight passed ten feet. A rough lean to constructed by Dargu and Rajiik in the late afternoon helped to keep the party who slept as dry as could be out in the open during a rainstorm. Though there was still a general dampness and chill that came with the rain and wet clothing. Those on watch made out strange sounds coming from within the marsh, deeper down the trail; although could not determine the source. The thick fog gave the area an eeriness, foreboding and isolation that concerned those on watch and made them more vigilant. Fortunately there were no goblin attacks during the course of the night, nor any other attacks by nocturnal predators, even though the strange sounds persisted throughout the night and through the pitter-patter of rain all around them. No travellers came through the Lost Coast Road during the course of the night. The fog began to lighten to a low-lying to mid-waist mist that curled about the trail and fen when light broke in the sky (just after 5.30 am) and the party rose to start their day and undertake prayers, ablution, breaking their fast and preparation/breaking camp.
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Zyren packs up her stuff and helps to clean up the campsite, ready to be off.
She ponders the vial of vermin repellent, but decides to wait to apply it until later, since it only lasts 4 hours and she isn't sure when the bugs are most active.
The party settled into their agreed upon marching order; with Flori leading in front and Radjiik protecting the rear, and set down the five foot wide trail. The wet and muddy trail littered with decaying leaf/plant litter, proved slippery in the beginning, especially, and, the party adjusted their stride and speed - choosing to move slower and use shorter strides so as to not lose their footing or turn an ankle. They carefully maneuvered around the potholes in the mud and over any upraised roots as they set to looking and listening for anything of note or possible threats.
The filmy mist continued to weave and cling along the dense swamp vegetation on either side of the trail. It made the area seem otherworldly and it proved to be a little distracting but its gauzy texture created a somewhat hazy view instead of obscuring vision altogether as the fog had done during the course of the night.
The early morning sunlight was dappled, here; the tall, pressed eucalyptus, cypress and oak trees forming a natural barrier. The buzzing of mosquitoes could be heard; hovering over smelly muddy bogs or around the shivering reeds and cattails. The collective sound of the mosquitoes proved to be more than distracting for both Flori and Radjiik; as they tried to wave/swipe them away, but the rest of the party caught sight of or heard something as they carefully marched along.
A squawking moorhen abruptly leapt up from a deep bog close to the trail and flapped its wings madly before flying awkwardly deeper into the well-vegetated marsh and away from the stationery party. Its sudden commotion rattled everyone in various degrees.
Those in the front leading the party down the trail suddenly caught sight of a short wooden bridge crossing the nearest small waterway; one of many waterways that snaked through Brinestump Marsh.
There! - says Akatsu, trying to call the attention of his companions, but in a volume low enough as to prevent alerting anything else - There, deeper in the swamp... Some sort of... Eerie low growl? I hope I'm not becoming too paranoid now.
The gravedigger pointed in the overall direction he heard it, but realized the sounds around could be making him jumpy.
Looking at all the insects around here, and as we seem to be quickly getting within the bog... Maybe we should use our repellents already? Do you guys think four hours will give us time enough for this small venture?
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Between the mosquitoes bites and the vague impression that he should have taken more rations with him, Radjiik wasn't having a very good day.
"A growl?" he repeats, not nearly focused enough to have noticed anything beyond the annoying and endless buzzing in his ears. "Coming from where?" Out of cautiousness, he notches an arrow onto his bow, waiting to see if something comes to attack them.
"I couldn't tell you what was growling, but I saw something up in the tree canopy. Gods only know what it was, it moved quick and was out of sight in a flash."
Stoic to the bugs for now, Dargu looks into the murky swamp and the wooden bridge.
"Id guess this is the path we are looking for "
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Dominic awakens with the dawn, focusing his gaze on the last stars remaining in the sky and fixing his location relative to them. He sits for a few minutes praying to Desna for guidance this day. He sets his starknife to one side of him, and a small holy text of Desna to the other side of him as he quietly prays.
After that he reverently withdraws his familial harrow deck, placing it on the ground before him and carefully flipping one card over.
The Juggler
The Juggler, a better sign than yesterday, but a precarious omen. Many things to balance...juggle even. But today seems to be fated to have happened, so be it...
After a few moments Dominic again leads his companions in a moment of prayer. Desna, it appears we are fated to be here this day. Let your guidance steer us through the marsh, let your will guide our arrows, and may we find our way safely through this day. The Song of the Spheres is with us today, and may you watch over us.
Dominic slows when the others do, I can definitely hear something splashing around out there, it sounds big. Hopefully its nothing hostile to us. That's a great bridge, I really dig that someone put the effort into building this out here. Contemplating the bridge for a few seconds, Dominic asks, Hey, who do you think put a bridge out here, certainly makes following the trail easier... He nervously loads a bolt into his crossbow scanning the swampy terrain for something he doesn't want to see.
Trying to ignore the sounds of creatures in the underbrush, and hoping that was all they were, Zyren responds to Dominic.
Maybe Walthus put up the bridge, since he lives beyond it, and it leads right to his place?
"That sounds sensible Zyren" Flori says, nodding along. "If you lived out here you would certainly want to make your life easier."
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Well... We should probably press, regardless. - says the monk, looking ahead - And be ready for whatever is coming. Just in case.
He pulls his weapon, keeping it in hands - but not before taking the repellent. As they approached the march, he wanted to be prepared for the pests to be found, and hoped the four hours were enough for their endeavor.
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Flori motioned for the party to press forward. As she reached the wooden bridge, she hand signaled for the group to stop as she proceeded to draw closer and examine the bridge, especially after some of her companions advised there had been strange sounds and movements in the vicinity.
On closer inspection, the bridge appeared to be a soggy wooden structure with a mossy surface and a few missing planks. Placing a foot gingerly on the first board and testing it to see if it would carry weight, Flori determined that the small bridge looked treacherous, however would be safe to cross.
As the party crossed the bridge, each took turn to gaze between the planks into the waterway below in case there was some kind of predator lurking beneath, especially after hearing Dominic say he had heard something big splashing around. Whatever it was, it wasn't hiding beneath the bridge. The bridge held under all their weight and the group continued on down the muddy trail.
The further into the swamp the party travelled, the thicker the mist seemed to be getting. It still wasn't as bad as the fogs at dawn and dusk, yet it cast an eerie pall on the thick and tangled vegetation along the trail. The sounds within the fen also began to change - there were lesser bird calls until there were none altogether. The usual chirps, buzzing, hissing, rustling and alike continued as the muddy path grew wetter and prone to thicker raised roots. Occasionally a low growl or bellow would break the quiet; their sounds hard to pinpoint in the misty landscape, seemingly coming from some place beyond the group. The pungent swamp smell grew sharper as they pressed deeper into the marsh.
The party crossed another two wooden bridges in similar condition to the first. Each held as they walked over the water and no threat came leaping out from beneath.
After the third bridge crossing, the party stopped briefly to take some water and stretch tired muscles and shake off general frustration. The trail was proving to be a tiresome affair, yet it would have been much worse had there been no trail to utilise.
Persevering, the adventurers continued, believing they were on the final stretch to Walthus' shack. On the last bend of the trail, Flori signalled the party to stop and pointed to the wet ground a few feet before her. Sunk partially in the mud was what appeared to be the strangely mutilated corpse of an animal. Gazing through the floating mist into the green surrounds, there was no immediate sign of the predator (nor any rustling sound to suggest it could be hiding and lying in wait nearby). Still, the adventurers remained vigilant as they proceeded forward.
Having walked along the very winding and muddy trail for just less than an hour (judging from the sun's position in the sky through the tall tree canopies), the surrounding flora parted to reveal a view of a swampy lagoon, and, the smell of brine hung in the air. The sand and mud flats of Sog’s Bay lay beyond the lagoon’s shallow waters. Sitting on the lagoon’s eastern shore was an old two storey building; its walls peeling and soggy with moss and the roof sagging with age. With no other buildings to be seen at the end of the New Fish Trail, the party surmise that this must be the residence of the mysterious Walthus Proudstump.
"Fo we just go knock on his door. I'm scared to bang too hard the thing looks like it'll cave right in on itself. Anyone feeling talkative and diplomatic this morning?"
Dargu seems all too happy for having slogged through a swamp for hours. The prospect of being in the field with his friends and family, and of encountering honest to goodness combat soon made him grin like a young child, despite the gloomy surroundings.
Dargu moved steadily around the decrepit looking shack; taking in its features and surrounds.
The ramshackle building was built atop a small raised hillock of relatively dry ground adjacent to the lagoon. For the most part, the swamp's vegetation had been cleared away - about five to ten feet back from the building. However, some persistent creepers and shrubbery had encroached onto the clearing and now climbed up the warping walls.
Examining the back of the house, he found a strip of land around ten feet wide between the house and lagoon. The sandy bank above the lagoon just hung over the water, giving the impression that when the house was originally built, the water may have been further away - and over the years the bank had crumbled away into the lagoon.
Dargu's lap of the shack revealed only one door covered by a narrow, weathered portico. There were several windows, with hanging, weather-damaged shutters and dirty glass. Dirty, heavy curtains were covering the glass unobstructed by a wooden shutter, making seeing the interior difficult. Nearing one of the lower, shuttered windows, Dargu could hear some faint sounds coming from within - perhaps footsteps?
The area immediately to the south of the house was walled off by a tall, substantial, mud-brick fence that extended right up to the walls of the house. This enclosed some sort of yard - however Dargu could not determine what lay within.
Dargu's circuit of the outside of house took around a minute before he returned to his companions.
"Well, nobody came out to day hello, but noone came out to attack, either. Just the one door, and some kind of walled off yard or garden or something nearby. I heard some movement inside, but I couldn't make out anything particular. Shall I go say hi?"
Dargu describes the house best he can, then directs the team towards the entrance.
Zyren goes up to the door and knocks, calling out
Hello! Walthus?
Wandering around the open area, Dominic observes the home in its state of disrepair and age, There would be a lot to do here, even more than in the old house in Sandpoint! I do rather hope Walthus is okay in there.
Looking over to Flori, Hey cousin, this is pretty exciting huh? We're out on an adventure like Sandru and the others used to have, huh? This is really different from riding on a caravan hoping robbers don't show up, or wandering the lanes of Varisia trying to visit as many homes as possible and hear their stories. Of course, I think I'd like it better without the dangerous goblins and their fireworks for certain...
"Absolutely Dom, its nice to get out of town again. Wish we could head out a bit further than just these marshes though. Recently I heard they had some stunning elemental horses in Qadira and I'd give anything to take a caravan out there and ride across that desert..." Flori's voice trails off as her mind wanders to future travels before her attention snaps back to reality when Zyren calls out for Walthus.
"Dargu, I hope you have higher standards than this when you get to building your house!" Flori comments whilst waiting for an answer from Walthus. "Hmmm.... Is Walthus fairly frail and elderly? Should we give him some time to answer the door before we investigate?" Flori voices out loud to everyone.
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Radjjik follows Zyren, staying on the lookout for possible traps. While he doesn't fully expect Walthus to be some kind of aggressive sociopath, the state of the house implies that he's not the type to frequently entertain guests. Or want them at all.
"We have some questions to ask you," he calls out as well, albeit more nervously than Zyren. "It's about goblin attacks. We need to stop them." If Watlhus was of the paranoid sort, it was better to give him as much information as possible.
"For one thing sis, it won't be in the middle of a swamp! I mean, no offense to Waltus or anything, but I kind of prefer more dry land and less blood sucking bugs kicking around. Maybe he's glputting on pants, or something? I mean, who knows what kind of schedule one keeps out here, right?"
Dargu approaches the door with Zyren, just in case of something bad popping up.
Akatsu approaches with the others. Silent as his more usual, the monk just lets his eyes walk around the place in recon. When Zyren advances and knocks the door, he comes close as well.
As Zyren knocked on the peeling front door and called out to the halfling, Radjiik contemplated Walthus' 'eccentric' nature and the possibility of the warden entrapping the exterior of his house. After a quick examination of the clearing in front and around the doorstep, he discovered no traps. Radjiik then added his nervous voice to Zyren's in hopes Walthus would come out to greet them.
Akatsu moved with quiet footfalls around the derelict building. Just beyond the the rear of the house, squabbling coming from several egrets wading in the calm lagoon caught his attention; yet there was no threat, there, for he or his companions. Like Dargu before him, Akatsu noted the general disrepair of the house - and as he looked up at the sagging roof, his gaze fixed on the crooked brick chimney; there was no smoke coming from it. As Akatsu moved to the side of the house and attempted to peer through a shuttered, cloudy window, he could not see anything, yet he managed to hear a clattering sound - like something had abruptly fallen and hit a wooden floor. Then there was nothing but silence. Akatsu returned to his waiting companions by the front door.
After several more moments of waiting, a noise came from beyond the door - the sound of a bolt being drawn back. Then the door opened just a crack, and, looking up at Zyren, standing on the doorstep, was a pale, ragged-looking face framed by unkempt brown hair. He did not attempt to open the door any wider and stayed partially hidden,
"Hello, new friends. Goblins, you say? Are you in immediate danger?"
"We have been told that you could give us guidance of what is to come. Perhaps you could sketch us a crude map, if it not too much trouble of course?"
"Also, we have strong backs and some carpentry experience. If you need some help with this place, I am sure we can come back and assist you somehow. Unless you prefer it this way, I mean."
Dargu looks sheepish as he offers to help, but is sincere.
Hi, I'm Zyren. We can wait while you get ready, if that is what you mean.
She smiles at the halfling, realizing that they might have disturbed his sleep.
Can we do anything for you while we wait? Firewood perhaps?
For moments, Akatsu limited to just shake his head in agreement with his companions. The monk was curious, but pushed his core to breath deeply and relax. With both hands, he pulled his hair back and made a crude arrangement to take it out of his face, narrowing his eyes towards the halfling as if not completely trusting his intentions.
Dominic seems content to allow the others to do the talking at this point, as they seem to be making headway with the lone halfling. He instead observes the house, looking for any areas which could quickly be repaired or patched up if needed in exchange for the occupant's help.
Maybe the cards were wrong, and today's the madman, not yesterday? Maybe they are seeing a full day ahead? I'll have to think more on this.
Walthus stared through the small opening of the door and silently listened to the strangers. He made no effort to move aside and open the door fully. Instead, he waited until each of them spoke before replying,
"So sorry, I'm very busy, today. I'd be a poor host as my house's a complete mess and not fit for visitors. If you'll excuse me, I must get back to my work..." and began to close to door.
Even as you stare at Walthus through the small opening and listen to his words, you cannot discern any obvious untruths or bad intentions. Whatever flicker of doubt you had, you quickly recollect the words of Sandpoint's locals about the halfling's eccentricity and you chalk it up to his particular brand of peculiarity and wish to be left alone.
Zyren switches tactics and tries again.
Please Walthus. People are dying. We really, really need your help, please. We would be happy to help you in return in whatever way you ask, just please help us find the threat to the town.