The only response from within the hut to your words is:
intruders, lest you incur the wrath of mighty Daghop!"
While this is taking place a female Boggard emerges from F6 and blinks at you hopefully.
What are you doing?
Having read about the water pool in the crow Elathras nods his head at Elena's musings. Raising an eyebrow as the half-elf produces an image of Sheila Heidmarch herself. Keeping his ranseur at the ready he hears the first voice coming from the hut, then turns quickly as a female Boggard emerges as speaks as well. Looking from the Boggard back to Elena, Elathras raises an eyebrow, hoping the cleric will be able to communicate well with the amphibians.
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When the female Boggard emerges to talk, Elena halts the conjured image in place, and it turns to face the direction of the female alongside her.
Elena rubs her throat, already feeling rather sore from all the gutteral sounds this language entailed. But hopefully, this would suffice?
The Female gives a ghastly, croaking laugh when she hears the you have killed Uggilo.
She Really hates Troglodytes!
What now?
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"...I think this is the same situation as in the Den. There's a new leader who really hates the troglodytes, and she says she will attack soon now that Ugglio is dead," Elena translates and mutters to the others in common. "For any hope of peace, we probably need to remove this Mama Beballa. And then talk to Daghop, the previous leader, over there in the hut. I could ask him to stand aside here, maybe?"
She glances at the others for their opinions on how to proceed.
Keeping his eyes on the female boggard, Elathras raises an eyebrow when she croaks gleefully. 'No matter what the language, only one thing causes that kind of reaction.' As Elena begins to translate, Elathras looks from the Boggard leader and back to his friend. Nodding, he whispers, "So your saying the best thing for her tribe and the troglodytes is to kill her now?"
He looks around the compound trying to determine the strength of their opponent. Looking back to Elena, "Did she give any indication of their strength or how they were able to deal with the Troglodytes so easily, after sharing the swamp with them this long?"
”I hate politics.” Bharak muttered. ”I trust ye on this. Tell me what needs killin’ and I’m with ye.”
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Elena holds up her hands over Elathras' inquiery and turns back to the speaker.
After relaying the message she stands by and waits for the answer.
Elena holds up her hands over Elathras' inquiery and turns back to the speaker.
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"Oh! And... I might have understood incorrectly, but she is also strongly implying the Grey Maidens themselves helped them kill the Troglodytes?" The Shelynite adds, pondering the weight of such a revelation. "If so... that woud mean they came here to trade their service for knowledge on how to get into the ruins, when our half-orc friend didn't provide the aid they were looking for. At least, that seems to be what makes the most sense."
"No, the Grey maidens gave us good weapons and plans. We killed the filthy Trogs! I want to talk with them again and get more good plans to kill Trogs, but Daghop is angry they didn't fight with us and is now hiding in the cave that leads to where the maidens headed. He has his supporters with him and is too strong to dislodge."
An attempt at a crafty expression crosses her hideous face.
The battle with the Troglodytes was a victory for the Boggards. But they didn't do it easily. The Boggards lost their Clerics in the fight and many are still wounded. The Chief Daghop was pissed that the Grey maidens didn't fight with them. The Boggard tribe had a Schism after the battle and fought with each other. Beballa and her supporters won so Daghop and his surviving supports are now holed up in the cave that leads to the Lady's light blocking the way to the Grey maidens.
Beballa has seen the leader of the Grey maidens come out of the cave several times, but hasn't seen her for several days now. Daghop left some bodyguards in his hut but isn't there. He and his supporters are in the cave at 'G' on the map of the Lady's cape.
Whatcha doing now?
'So we not only have the local flora and fauna to deal with, we have a separate competitor as well.' Nodding as Elana explained what the boggard said, Elathras watched the old female Boggard's response.
'She's a tricky old one.' Seeing the crafty expression, Elathras Wonders aloud, "Can we trust this one?"
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"I don't know. The exiled Troglodyte leader is hiding in a nearby cave, it seems. We could leave and try talking to him first. That would risk them leaving to attack the Troglodytes in our absense, though..." Elena answers. It was hard to see a path to some kind of mutually beneficial outcome here, but the best bet was probably talking to Daghop.
"It doesn't sound like either of the boggard leaders are willing to cease hostilities with the troglodytes," Axton needlessly explains to Elena. "Leaving either boggard faction in place will undo the work you did to pacify the remaining troglodytes. They won't be peaceful if they're constantly attacked.
"But to conivnce one of these boggard factions to live in peace with the troglodytes, it sounds likely that the other boggard faction will disagree."
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Other Boggards are emerging from their huts to watch the meeting taking place.
The Boggards are all wearing three daggers of very good make. Daggers commonly issued to the City watch of Korvosa?
Several years ago in the city of Korvosa, upstart Queen Ileosa Arabasti seized power after the death of her husband. She expanded her power through a military order she dubbed the Gray Maidens-female fighters selected for their strength and beauty and then forged into remorseless soldiers via brutal initiations that left them both physically and emotionally scarred.
Ileosa might well have succeeded in attaining eternal youth and the power she sought were it not for the efforts of a brave band of adventurers. These stalwart souls foiled and deposed the devilish queen and assisted in restoring order to the proud city-state, to the infinite
relief of her oppressed subjects.
Efforts were made to rehabilitate the now-leaderless Gray Maidens, but not all welcomed such attentions. One such band, led by a Gray Maiden commander named Oriana, fled Korvosa rather than submit to its new ruler, and for the past few years these fugitives have eked out lives as bandits and mercenaries.
Now they have come here for some reason?
Instinctively keeping his voice low, Elathras explains, "These Gray Maidens Fled Korvosa, and have become mercenaries at best and bandits at worst. If they are already influencing the Boggards, we may not be able to convince them to make peace with the Troglodytes."
He looks towards the old female Boggard leader, "But if we must negotiate, I agree the deposed leader in hiding may be the lesser of two evils."
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Elena nods at Elathras and speaks in Boggard to Babella. [b]"Thank you for the information. We'll consider your offer and return later."[b]
Unless attacked or otherwise stopped, she would head to the location of the exiled boggard leader to consult with him. Was he more open to a peace with the Troglodytes? Would he trade his allegiance to us and a truce with them for help in restoring him to power?
”Diplomacy with monsters.” Bharak muttered. ”Glad someone speak their gibberish.” He said to himself.
G. TEMPLE OF GOGUNTA
While the boggards of Baladab Souko have dwelt in their village for several generations, this cavern, located 200 yards west of the village at the base of a rocky outcropping, has served as a sacred site for the worship of the boggard goddess Gogunta for much longer.
Serving at times as shelter during violent storms, the caves became a
secondary home for Chief Daghop and his loyal boggards after they left the village in disgust at Mama Beballa's convictions that allying with the Gray Maidens was the right choice.
With no remaining priests in their tribe (one of Chief Daghop's primary arguments for why allying with the humans was a bad choice), the boggards
now dwell here, on constant guard against the possible return of the Gray Maidens.
G1. Outer Shrine
This large cavern has a cathedral-like ceiling that rises to a height of forty feet above. The ground is smooth and clear of debris, save for a few large boulders and rocks here and there. Along the western wall, flanked by passageways to either side, menaces a frightful wall-carving of an enormous multi headed frog demon crouched on a mound of skulls and
bones. Four crude nests of mud and reeds lie on the floor here and there.
Once the primary place of worship for the boggards, this room now serves as the barracks for Chief Daghop's remaining loyal followers.
A successful DC20 Knowledge (religion) check reveals that the multiheaded frog demon is a depiction of Gogunta, the demon god of the boggards. Gogunta
Apart from his three bodyguard-wives (whom he specifically left behind to guard his hut back in the village), Daghop's loyal followers number only four.
These boggards can be found in this room, squatting around the largest rock in the room, which they're using as a table to gamble with a large stack of coins and gemstones (the contents of one of Daghop's bags of loot, given to these four by the chief to ensure their continued loyalty).
The game the boggards are playing involves the tossing of colored stones and a fairly simple set of rules (whoever ends up with the most stones on the table wins) that, nevertheless, are causing more arguments than enjoyment.
As soon as these four boggards notice you, one of them unleashes a terrifying croak-more to alert the chief than anything else. The boggards immediately attack you.
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What are you doing?
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The boggards immediately attack you.
Scratching his head, Elathras follows Elana, asking; "So If I understand correctly, Both of these groups hate the lizards. The one were going to see is mad at the gray maidens for not helping fight. The group we just left is happy with the gray maidens for giving them a good plan." He shakes his head. "Sounds like we need a third group of Frogs to speak with." He shrugs, "Or speak with the Gray Maidens and have them convince the boggards to cooperate." He pauses, "Why are the Gray Maidens here anyway?"
As they move through the caves notes the large wall carving of the multi headed frog demon. Smiling, Elathras points to the carving and jests, "Look Elena fellow artists, but I don't think their fans of Shelyn"
As the mouth of the cave widens, Elathras spread out a little so the three of them, Elena, Bharak and himself could bring weapons to bear. Seeing the boggards almost as quickly as the boggards saw them, Elathras furrows his brow and the loud sound. But keeping his wits about him, he steps forward and thrusts the cold iron ranseur at the boggard bearing down at him.
Shivering in revulsion at the belch-like croak, Axton pauses to ascertain the situation. If the boggards are not attacking, then neither will Axton. He will wait to see if Elena's negotiations bear fruit.
If they are attacking, then he'll unleash a burst of sonic energy from his wand of ear-piercing scream.
”Is that supposed to be scary?” The dwarf asked. ”Tell them to lower their weapons before they get hurt.”
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As they move through the caves notes the large wall carving of the multi headed frog demon. Smiling, Elathras points to the carving and jests, "Look Elena fellow artists, but I don't think their fans of Shelyn."
Elena chuckles. "Probably. Though I wonder... does this counts as art? Worship is a fickle thing. Do you create a depiction of your god because you feel you have to, or because your heart is really in it?" the priestess wonders. "And religious Iconography tends to not lend itself well to creativity. Holy symbols are rather rigid on that regard."
A minute or so later, when combat breaks out...
Not letting it get to her, Elena calls out to the Boggards in their language. "Stop this, right now! Or my friends here will kill all of you for attacking them. We come to speak to Daghop and have a proposal for him. Now stand aside!"
Green ignores the tiny amount of damage Axton's wand work gives him.
Elthras misses.
They ignore Elena's words completely.
Umazura & Bharak can act
"The multi-headed frog demon is a depiction of Gogunta, the demon god of boggards. Just in case inquiring minds want to know."
Umazura then goes into a tale about a couple of human paladins. One was far too cocky for his own good, and another a little on the crazy side. Together though, and amazingly enough, they were an incredible duo.
If an ally has her own rage class ability (such as barbarian’s rage, bloodrager’s bloodrage, or skald’s inspired rage), she may use the Strength, Constitution, and Will saving throw bonuses, as well as AC penalties, based on her own ability and level instead of those from the skald (still suffering no fatigue afterward). However, inspired rage does not allow the ally to activate abilities dependent on other rage class abilities, such as rage powers, blood casting, or bloodrager bloodlines; the ally must activate her own rage class ability in order to use these features.
”Right. Figured it had to be something nasty.” He said as he moved in to attack the nearest foe.
Green ignores the tiny amount of damage Axton's wand work gives him.
Bharak steps up and splatters Orange over the cave walls.
Umazura stirs your blood with another wonderful tale.
The remaining Boggard's step up as their chief, raging wildly comes around the corner to join the battle.
They do not connect.
The party may now act
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Not really sure what constitutes the definition of 'art' Elathras shrugs his shoulders as the Boggards attack. 'I'll give it to Elena, she doesn't give up easy.' Smiling to himself as Elena tries to speak with the Boggards even as they advance, Elathras dodges the frog-like creature's attack. Stepping back as Bharak splatters one of the Boggards with his hammer, Elathras calls out, "Well struck Bharak!"
Hearing noise from deeper in the cave he notices the 'chief' charging towards the figth. Resetting his feet he thrusts the cold iron ranseur at the boggard that had attacked him.
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”Ha! Back at ye!” The dwarf laughed as he swung his bloody hammer again.
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Shivering in revulsion at the belch-like croak, Axton pauses to ascertain the situation.
Seeing the martial pair go to town, Elena is about to join them when she sees Axton visibly effected by the screech. "Don't worry. Their bark is much worse than their bite. Stay close to me if they scare you." She says, laying her hand on his shoulder.
Afterwards, and deciding to hang back in case the sorceror didn't snap out of it, she instead reaches for Uma and grants her a blessing of luck. "What do you say you show them those martial routines you've been practising? Can't have the boys thinking we're lazy, can we?" She grins at the half-orc.
Axton gives Elena's hand the stink-eye before he shrugs it off.
"No need to worry about me!" He raises his finger and casts scorching ray at the center boggard in the front line.
Intrepid skitters along Axton's outstretched arm and squeaks out a mine fire globule at the same boggard.
Steel & spell easily deal with the the remaining loyalists. Daghop rages and hurtles forward to attack you.
He charges Elthras and unleashes his terrifying croak when he is in range of the party.
The party may now act, he moved and then croaked. :)
Pleased with how well the pathfinders had done with the rabble Elathras turns towards the charging chief. Nodding that way he gives Bharak a smile, "Here the 'Fooker' comes. Hammer and anvil?"
Thrusting his cold iron ranseur at the frog beast as he charged, Elathras was surprised when the chief stopped and literally croaked instead of attacking. Shrugging, Elathras stepped back near Elena and thrust at the chief with his ranseur again.
"Ha!" Axton triumphs when he burns his boggard target to a crisp. Confidence surging through him, he is happy to try again when the chief charges.
As luck would have it, Bharak's hammer landed squarely on the foe's chest. He felt ribs shatter as the weapon hit home. The dwarf gave a grim smile, confident that the job would be done.
Seeing the martial pair go to town, Elena is about to join them when she sees Axton visibly effected by the screech. "Don't worry. Their bark is much worse than their bite. Stay close to me if they scare you." She says, laying her hand on his shoulder.
Afterwards, and deciding to hang back in case the sorceror didn't snap out of it, she instead reaches for Uma and grants her a blessing of luck. "What do you say you show them those martial routines you've been practising? Can't have the boys thinking we're lazy, can we?" She grins at the half-orc.
Umazura watches the first two boggards fall before looking over at Elena with a raised eyebrow. Cutting her attention back to the enemy and holding her position, there's a clear picture of utter confidence upon her visage. She holds up a finger to the healer as if to say 'Wait for it...' and sure enough, not seconds later, the leader falls.
Halting her tale and wearing a proud grin, "Well done, all."
What are you doing now?
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"I doubt there's much of value here, but might as well search around," Elena says, after the last Boggard dies. "After that... we should probably go back to the Boggard village and remove the new leader too, if we want to protect the troglodytes. If we don't, they'll attack them when we go into the ruins. I wish it didn't have to be this way, but The Eternal Rose knows I tried."
After searching the cave and detecting magic she heads out with the others. "Wish I could heal a sore throat... all that effort learning the language and for what? Could have visited her gallery, could have practiced spearplay, taken in the city sights, looked into local dances..." she groans as they leave.
Cleaning the blade of his fauchard off on the dead chieftain, Elathras, nods at Elena's observation. Nearing the chief, he begins to search the dead frog for anything of value. "Possibly but it can't hurt to check."
After searching the dead chief, he pauses, concerned that Elena had given up on the Boggard leadership so easily. He knew that there was no reasoning with most monsters, but he was glad Elena had tried to talk to them. That was more than the 'Hell Knights' would have done. After frisking the dead chief, he would do the same with the other dead boggards, eventually helping check the nearby cave.
As they finished looking about for anything that was of value, he asked Elena. "I agree, we've probably no way of convincing the Boggards not to attack the Troglodytes. But what about speaking with the Grey maidens? They may be able to influence the Boggards otherwise." He shrugs as he looks around to the others. "If we have to kill the Boggards I understand, but I'm glad we at least tried another option." Pausing he frowns, "The 'Order of the Pike' would not have even tried."
”Dunno. Seems like we are getting distracted. Are these problems really our own? What do we gain from this, getting involved in their squabbles? We should remember why we be here.” aye cautioned.
url=https://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/vermin/solifugid/gia nt-solifugid/]Solifugid[/url]
What now?
"Ah, this substance will come in handy. This will help deal with the Solifugid vermin that block the way deeper. Amazingly enough, it makes them docile."
What are you doing now?
Boggard loot"
MW Dagger (8),
+1 reptilian humanoid bane arrows (5),
+1 composite longbow
950gp and six chrysoberyls worth 100gp each.
Once you have dealt with the Boggard's you head back to the Troglodytes and give them the good news.
What now? Hydra hunting, or taking the tunnel to the Lady's light?
"Yes! I agree!" Axton pumps his fist in the air.
"Tomorrow!"
Axton goes to find a place to rest for the remainder of the day.
Raising an eyebrow as Axton 'fist pumps' Elathras looks around the Troglodyte cave they were in. Shrugging, "Getting a good night's rest might not be a bad idea." He then nods towards there new 'allies' "But I still think we should keep our own watch just in case."