"I can take care of our injuries."
Mukluk stretches out, examining his arms and legs from where he was burnt, but, with Durgan's healing.
"Ah! I didn't think you'd had the Vaultkeeper's touch in you, but you do! I feel it now, right on my skin! Ah, that's good stuff, Durgan! Very good! HAW! HAW! HAW!" Mukluk moves over to slap Durgan on the back. Mukluk doesn't have good relations with dwarves (or elves, or humans, or halflings, or any other race other than mule for that matter) but does appreciate Durgan's efforts here. "Ah, I wish Moose was here to see and feel that. He'd have loved it! Imagine, being healt by one of the Vaultkeeper's own. Much better than being murdert, indeed!"
Turning back to the task at hand, Mukluk demurs.
"Seems like we were tasked with bringin' back the ears of goblins, and we've done that. Seems like we should be heading back to Sandpoint and getting paid. We have some good money, some good things to sell. This has been a profitable trip, enough so that I can buy Moose a fancy bow for his mane. Wouldn't you like to see that?" Mukluk looks around to see who else might want to see Moose with a nice fancy bow. "It's a lot of goal and we don't need to go tromping into the swamp just to get murdert. No one wants to be murdert. Especially not in a swamp. Especially not when we're about to be rich. I mean, that box will sell for a pretty copper, let me tell you..."
Not exactly sure what the Vaultkeeper's touch was, Rory waited until the topic of tracking the undead came up. Realizing that Mukluk seemed to see the job as finished and was ready to return to town. Reaching up and scratching between Storm's ears Rory considered the task at hand. Yes, they were done with the goblins, but now a new mystery raised its head, and he did so love a mystery.
Looking from Mukluk to the others, he concedes. "If everyone feels were done and should return to town I'm ok with that. Mukluk is right our task is done and we've made quite a bit."
He gestures towards the pile of burned corpses. "But it seems that something far more dangerous is out there."
Then he gestured towards the fancy box, "And what if the skeletons, or whatever they were, are after that box? We might just be inviting the back to Sandpoint to do the same thing there. Maybe we should at least see what the new threat is so we can report it back to the sheriff."
He looks at Durgan and Kisaiya hoping they would agree with him. "Our time to follow the tracks is waining." He gestures towards the tracks. "Maybe we should follow them now before they are gone."
Kisaiya is quiet as Mukluk talks, her face falling. She gives an ephemeral smile to Rory as he points towards investigation as well.
”’I will defend nature from the twisted influence of undead and aberrations, and seek mutual peace with creatures that defend nature from humanity.’”
She struggles as she tries to figure out how to organize her thoughts. ”I have to. I would be forsworn not to. If none of you want to go, I will have to do it by myself. And…I think it would mean the world to Ameiko. If there are artifacts of our ancestors there…and with everything that has happened to her family…I just…think it would…be nice.”
She clutches at her arm and looks away. ”We can sleep and try to make sense of the map in the morning. It does not have to be now. I just do not think I can leave it.”
Mukluk's face droops with every excellent point of reasoning and fairly balanced point of value uttered by Kisaiya. While he disagrees completely, he completely understands the need to do what you have to do...especially because of values.
Without values, what are we? Nothing but scruffy looking nobodies, that's who.
He looks to Durgan, but already knows the battle is lost. Durgan, fair of mind and full of the Vaultkeeper would likely agree with Kisaiya. And because Mukluk wouldn't let a friend go into danger alone, he wouldn't either. That's not his way. That's not even Moose's way. That's no way to be at all.
"Aye. I see. But maybe we could get a good rest and a meal before pursuing? Or maybe we go just now?" Mukluk asks, thinking about the better part of valor (the food), but maybe that's not going to be the plan.
If it's for Ameiko? How can I argue?
"I will join you, Kisaiya. I have no particular holy obligation to fight the undead - that is not one of the primary goals of my faith as it is for followers of Sarenrae or Pharasma - but even so I am decently good at it. And, I am curious about this chest from Minkai. Travels from distant lands are of interest to me.
I have no strong opinion on following the tracks now or reporting back to town to ask the Sheriff for help with the map."
Sensing an full agreement to help Kisaiya, but also a need to be careful and check on one's mulish friends, Mukluk sees there is an agreement to both return to Sandpoint for provisions/rest and also come back to track down what else might be fulfillent of Kisaiya's code.
"Okay, let's get back to town. Might be we can get some skeleton-killing provisions with some of our well-earned ear loot. And come back on the morrow? That seem fair to everyone?"
Mukluk leads the party (from the rear, likely) back to town. He will seek out the sheriff to let them know what happened with the goblins (and that the party shouldn't be murdert) and see about the map and selling of goods.
Kisaiya nods, smiling much less ephemerally this time. ”I think that is wise. We know what we need to fight and they are not going to be leaving, so getting equipment would be smart.”
Squirreling his lip up, Rory wants to point out that he is very capable of following the tracks if they get to in now. Instead, hearing Kisaiya say Mukluks plan was a wise one, he takes a deep breath and exhales. "Ok, back to town."
Realizing that instead of spending the night with Walthus, they'd be able to eat the food at Ameiko tavern. Smiling to himself, Rory let's Storm have his head. The wolf is happy to run ahead the group, turn around and run back sniffing at this or that, then, running ahead of the group again.
Once they get back to town, Rory settles Storm down and accompanies Mukluk as the dwarf seeks out the sheriff.
You traipse back out of the marsh, coated to varying degrees by mud. It dries as you walk the short way back to Sandpoint, arriving around 3pm or so. You start, I presume, but retiring to your respective rooms to clean yourselves before proceeding onward.
Sandpoint doesn’t have a library, but there is a new tutor at the school. He has an impressive library of his own. Where his predecessor collected all manner of books and artifacts, Professor Idilkin just collects books. He must have come from money because he has so many of the damn things.
You start, however, with the sheriff. Sheriff Hemlock is not as gruff as he appears at first glance, though he is a hard one. He has guided Sandpoint through some tough times with success and there are few who would question any order he gave.
You provide him bags of ears, which he is happy to pay you for (ch’ching). ”Looks like you had a pretty good goblin hunt. Shame we have to resort to such tactics, but they do get out of hand otherwise. Are you planning to go back? Are there very many more?”
You start, I presume, but retiring to your respective rooms to clean yourselves before proceeding onward.
No, you start with finding your loyal companion, Moose the Mule, and furiously apologizing and explaining that he'll need another day traipsing through the swamp before he can go on his promised acorn and nut collection treat. That's the first thing any sane person would do.
After that, he'll get cleant up and make himself presentable...so the Sheriff is likely to make him murdert.
"We kilt their chief and burnt down their village, not sure what else we need to do. They didn't have much," Mukluk explains, wishing he had a hat to wring so he would seem threatening. "I think we need to go back and check on something else though, something about Minkai and skeletons. We found a map, you see? Not a good map, but a confusing map."
Mukluk points out the map and hopes someone more eloquent will explain.
having taken the time to knock the dust off of himself, Storm and the new armor, Rory waits until the others are ready to go report to the sheriff. Having dismounted Storm he leads he wolf in with them and watches as Mukluk turns in the bag of ears. Seeing Mukluk point to the map Rory blurts out, "Do you recognize any of those locations? We think the skeletons went that way."
Kisaiya nods along as the others begin the explanation. ”The goblins appear to have discovered some skeletons guarding a treasure and angered the undead, who followed after and killed a number of them. We want to find and deal with these skeletons before they cause further issues. I am also curious as to what they are guarding, since it seems to relate to my grandparents’ homeland.”
Durgan presents Sheriff Hemlock with the head of Chief Gutwad, not just the ears, remembering that there was a much more substantial reward.
He is, of course, well cleaned up and presentable before politely requesting the bounty.
”Burned down their village huh?” The sheriff smiles, though there’s a twinge as he wonders if you’re a bloodthirsty lot who will cause trouble for him. He takes the head and dumps it in the bin - but he does take out a good sized purse and place it before you.
”Two hundred gold extra, as promised I believe. Very well done you lot.” he measures you with his eyes a bit, and seems satisfied. He doesn’t look at your charcoal map though, at least not much. ”Oh, stuff like that I’d just run by Idilkin. You know him, runs the school these days. Good man. He’ll sort you out.”
”Skeletons aye? Remember to use bludgeoning weapons. Skeletons are tough without a good club, be wary,” he suggests, though he doesn’t seem too worried about a few skeletons deep in the swamp.
With brusk efficiency he thanks you and escorts you out of his office - though he doesn’t move so fast as to leave you without further questions if you wish.
Kisaiya picks up on the sheriff’s concern and looks away, embarrassed ”The burning down the village was an accident. The chief, he had some fireworks, and….” She just trails off, deciding it probably doesn’t matter.
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”Two hundred gold extra, as promised I believe. Very well done you lot.”
"Hmm.
Now, I can't imagine that you would try to shortchange a priest of Abadar his fair payment for services rendered. Ameiko had said the bounty for the Chief's head was 300 gold, not 200. Did she misspeak, or has the bounty decreased in the past day? Or had you misremembered and now need to adjust the payment?Please understand that I just want to be clear on the terms of the agreement. Important to my faith, you understand."
He taps his holy symbol.
Mukluk quirks an eye at Durgan, both for the dwarf's keen head for numbers, and also because he does not want to get murdert by the Sheriff.
He holds his breath, wondering how that question will turn out.
"Was it three hundred?" the sheriff looks thoughtful. "I don't know, but I suppose it was."
He counts out another hundert.
Turning to leave, Rory hears Durgan correct the sheriff on his numbers. Raising an eyebrow he watched as the lawman pulls out another bag of coins. Leaning over the bearded dwarf he whispers. "Well remembered sir, well remembered."
Mukluk turns to leave, happy to go find Idilkin and the school before heading out to go shopping with his newfound fortune. He might even buy a bag of acorns for Moose, wouldn’t that be a treat?
You decide what to do with the fan/map and head over to the teachers home.
Tall as a reed and whip thin, professor Idilkin welcomes you into his home. He shifts a book or two out of your way, but he’s fairly well organized so there aren’t piles of books. Just an odd few here and there. The room however is full of books. Every wall has shelves, and every shelf books. Makes the home feel a little small.
Once you’re settled, with tea, he asks, ”So what can I do for you today? Care to learn an ancient language? Or revel in some historical anecdote perhaps?” He smiles warmly and sips his tea - waiting for an answer.
As they leave the sheriff's office, Rory realizes he can keep pace with the dwarves easy enough. So instead of mounting his wolf, he just leads Storm along as they head towards the teacher's home.
As they walk into Professor Idilkin's home, Rory, seeing all the paper, wonders if the man worries about a fire. Climbing into an overstuffed chair Rory accepts the offer of some tea. Not interested in tea Storm spins around three times and lays down beside the chair, tucking his nose under his tail and starts to dose off.
As the conversation turns to the reason they are visiting, he gestures towards the map. "Um, we've acquired a map we need help with."
As they leave the sheriff's office, Rory realizes he can keep pace with the dwarves easy enough. So instead of mounting his wolf, he just leads Storm along as they head towards the teacher's home.
Durgan slows down so that Mukluk and Rory can keep up.
Durgan takes a look at the books in stacks and on the shelves, wondering if the Professor has a copy of the Manual of City Building. It really is a wonderful read, and not just for followers of Abadar.
He waits while Rory addresses the Professor.
Mukluk hastens to keep pace with the party, moving as fast as his stout legs would naturally carry him. He’s pleased to leave the Sheriff not just unmurdert, but also rich, which was a bonus. Now taking tea and putting his stout, but slow, legs up, he helps point out the map that he very nearly decoded on his own.
”Now, I’m almost there. I just need a very slight hint to put the pieces together. It’s a very strange map, too, but I’m sure you can help me make sense of it. I almost got it…if Moose were here, he’d have it for sure,” Mukluk tries to help between sips of tea.
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"A map huh?" he frowns and shrugs his shoulders, "I'm not much good with art. I'm better with words. Still, happy to take a look!"
He glances at a bowl with a few silver and gold in it already, suggesting a donation to the cause might not be amiss. Without hesitation however, he takes the fan and studies it. He smiles, and takes out a book from a nearby shelf and lays it out.
"Look here. This is the Brinestump Marsh. This line of, I don't know what that is, something. That's the Lost Coast Road. This is an explosion of some kind, here, death - a cave I think. This last symbol must surely be a shipwreck. Here"
He deciphers your map, and if you show him the map Walthus loaned you, he can point out where things lie.
Kisaiya’s face brightens as it so rarely does. ”Thank you so much! Next time you come to the Dragon, your meal is on me. Well, I should talk to Ameiko first and ask if it’s fine. But I’m sure it will be after what we find there!”
”Oh yeah, that’s what I done did wrong, I did,” Mukluk looks at the map that he was very close to figuring out. ”Moose wasn’t around, that’s probably why. Ol’ Moose has a head for which way the wind blows and which side of the trail to go down. I wouldn’t have made the mistake if he were here. Nope.” Mukluk pulls back from the map and crosses his arms.
”Well, it looks like we have at least three points of interest to explore on the morrow, huh? We best we starting early, it might be another long day. Let’s say we meet for first breakfast at the ‘Dragon an hour past sunrise?” Mukluk nods to Durgan, who needs his beauty prayers. ”I got some shoppin’ and sellin’ to do, and need to take Moose out for a walk lest he start getting crabby at me and no one wants that.”
”Roresy? You headin’ to the market? What about the rest of youse? Durgan? You might be nice to have around while we haggle, what with your head for numbers and countin’.”
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You head over to the church, where Father Abstalar Zantus has a small roll of wands stuck together with string. He dislodges one of the slender sticks and sells it to you, thanking you for your kind purchase from the cathedral. ”Profits from the sale go to church upkeep.”
Watching as Professor Idilkin marks the places on the map, Rory compares it to what he knew of the coastline and southern roads already. As they prepare to leave he nods in agreement with Kisaiya "Yes, thank you."
Jumping out of the overstuffed chair he whispered, "Come on Storm, time to go." Storm stands and stretches as Mukluk talks about Moose's ability to read the map. Not sure how much Mukluk said about the mule was true and how much the dwarf just attributed the mule for, Rory decides not to ask.
Instead, he nods in agreement with the 'three points of interest' and the 'best to start early.' As Mukluk continued about shopping and taking moose for a walk, Rory realized that Mukluk was inviting him along to go shopping. Smiling as he leads Storm out of the home, he confesses, "I'd really love to purchase some chain armor for Storm, fortunately he can wear armor made for a large dog." He scratches behind Storms ear, adding, "Then we can go for a ride and let Storm stretch his legs."
Pausing he looked towards Mukluk and asks, "Mukluk, do you ever ride Moose?"
Sticking with the others he heads towards the church Where Father Zantus is able to provide them with a wand. As they divide up the rest of the money, Rory asks, "Anyone want to head over to Savah’s Armory she had a 'chain' shirt made for a mastiff that should fit Storm." He shrugs, "Maybe she'll buy the leather armor my dad made for me and Storm."
"Mukluk, do you ever ride Moose?"
"Ride' Moose? Ah, nawh. He's not the riding kind. He's not like your Stormsy, all full of piss and vinegar, and likin' to that kind of thing. Ol' Moose likes to carry his supper and maybe some spare seeds and fixings for m' Stew of Three Sisters," Mukluk replies after a moment of thought. "He's usually way too burdened to want to carry my weight in addition to what we need for the road. Though, I have to admit that I haven't asked him about that. Nawh, but I don't think he be liking it none."
Mukluk goes shopping, thinking about how best to help deal with skeletons as they are usually and notoriously resistant to picks, no matter how pointed.
In addition to his shopping for the swamp trip, Mukluk will buy small bags of almonds, pecans, and acorns as a treat/apology to Moose and spend the rest of the day with his muline companion trying to make amends.
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Kisaiya nods as Rory mentions Savah’s Armory. ”I should probably get a warhammer to help with the skeletons.” What else does she need? This is more money than she has ever held at one time in her entire life. She could of course buy holy water, maybe a fancy magic oil, a potion of healing perhaps? Realistically though, it’s probably just a few skeletons, enough to rattle some goblins but nothing dangerous to prepared and intelligent foes. And after all this, it would be nice to save the rest. She needs to be realistic, practical. This whole episode is just a little lark in the grand scheme of her life. There will probably be nothing there, all picked clean by the goblins before the skeletons rose. And then life will just go back to how it was. She’s not an adventurer. She’s a cook.
After making her sole purchase, she heads home to make sure she is back in time to make dinner. Her father is collapsed in his soft chair with his head back and eyes closed, a cup of coffee steaming on the table next to him. He always does this when he has had a stressful day. He is well into middle age at this point and mostly bald. He is broad and large like Kisaiya—or rather her like him—but of a darker tan complexion and with thick, dark eyebrows that make him look always intense.
Kisaiya nods towards him. ”Tadaima.”
Her father does not move, even to open his eyes. ”Okaeri.”
Kisaiya begins removing her backpack and her gauntlets. Perhaps stirred by the unusual sounds, Shigeru finally sits up and opens his eyes. ”Goblin hunt go well?”
Kisaiya shrugs as she begins unstrapping her armor. ”As well as these things go, I suppose. None of us dead. Didn’t lose any more limbs. A lot of them dead. Village burned.”
Shigeru nods. ”Serves the little bastards right. Filthy, wretched little creatures.”
She thinks “possibly” but says ”Probably.” People keep expecting her to have a moral clarity that she does not feel, and it just makes her feel worse. She just wants them to stop talking about it. ”The goblins found some ruin or the like. We are going back out tomorrow to look into it.”
Shigeru frowns. ”Is Ameiko alright with you spending more time on these expeditions? You have a job, you know.”
Kisaiya drops her armor onto the floor a bit harder than she intended. ”I have not told her yet. I think she will be fine with it though. From what we found, it looks like maybe there are relics from the old country.”
Shigeru scoffs. ”Probably picked clean by now.”
She takes Saya off her belt and begins walking toward the display of her grandmother’s armor. ”I do not think so. There are skeletons guarding it.” She places the empty scabbard back on its stand with the armor.
Shigeru takes a sip of his coffee. ”Best to stay away from those. You never know what diseases they could be carrying. Like those ones a few years back.”
Kisaiya takes a deep breath. ”Those were ghouls, not skeletons. Skeletons are just bone, and bone does not carry diseases like flesh does.”
Shigeru shakes his head and waves in dismissal. ”Whatever they are, let the sheriff handle it. I thought you were done with all that.”
Kisaiya seethes as she is stands still facing her grandmother’s armor. ”It’s just one day.” She wants to say that she swore oaths to the Empress of Heaven and she needs to follow them, but he will just get angry. ”The money will be worth it. I got 250 gold for a day’s work today and might get another tomorrow.”
He is quiet for a long moment. She knew that he would see the pragmatic angle. Having to invoke it feels like a failure, though, as though she can only argue on his terms. He finally nods and shrugs his mouth. ”Just be careful. As long as it’s just the one day.” He takes his coffee and walks off towards the kitchen.
Kisaiya places her hand on Grandmother’s armor. The cloth lining is a bright yellow that catches the eye first, the scales themselves of tan and red. She has thought about wearing it; she knows it would fit after a lifetime of taking care of it. That armor has always symbolized something more about the world for Kisaiya, that life is not just working every day until you die. But Grandmother’s legacy deserves better than a mercenary expedition for booty and relics. It deserves adventure—a true adventure!—and a great ideal.
Most of all though, she knows that if she puts it on, she would never be able to hang it up again.
Durgan rather begrudgingly contributes to the Wand of Cure Light Wounds. "As long as we are prudent and pay good heed to our defense, we should not need this very often. I will not use it frivolously."
He will accompany Mukluk to ensure that his fellow dwarf is not ripped off, but at the same time he recognizes the need for the town merchants to receive a fair price for their wares. Most merchants know in advance what it is like to deal with a priest of Abadar, and so charge Mukluk a fair price without the need for extensive haggling.
Durgan checks his ledger against the gold in his purse.
There was the 10 that he had, and the 251 that he just received. (261)
He sells back his old scale armor, making sure it is clean first. (+25, for 286).
He buys a dwarven-sized breastplate and has Savah's assistant fit it for him, making some adjustments to the straps. (-200, now 86).
"Where is your next destination?" inquires Ameiko as you all meet for breakfast the next morning, Gozran 4, a Toilday. You're all kitted out, so it's easy for Ameiko to assume that something is up.
There are three new locations. The caves and far ship will be a slog through the swamp. However, you could cut around on the high ground much more easily, but then you'll need a way to climb down the cliffs (30-40' high) near the cave.
Let me know your plans.
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”We, um, found something yesterday. The goblins upset some undead, and we need to defeat them. They seemed to have some artifacts from Minkai, and we think there may be more.” She pulls out the beautiful fan she kept, handling it very carefully. ”See. I, um, saved this for you. As gift to apologize for taking the day off again. If you don’t like it, you can sell it and it will more than make up for any money the Dragon loses out on for me not being here.” She cannot help her face reddening, as pale as her skin is, so she instead looks away bashfully.
"Where is your next destination?"
”Well, Miss Ameiko, we was thinking to head back out to where we think the goblins found the fireworks. We start there, and muck our wayabouts south towards a few other select locations found on the goblin’s map,” Mukluk says between mouthfuls of scone. ”That’s probably the best plan that there could be.”
Mukluk remembers to grab his rope from Moose’s pack before leaving.
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Raising an eyebrow about Durgan's comment about 'Prudent' Rory resisted the urge to comment that 'Prudent' would be to stay home. But when they got to the shop he watched as Durgan haggled making sure a fair price was had for all. Shaking his head Rory Realizes he still had a lot to learn about people. Pleased with the prices Durgan help him get for the Mastiff armor and helping sell their older armor, Rory turned to him as they exited Savah’s Armory Rory turned to the religious dwarf, "Durgan I want to thank you for helping me get a fair price. I underestimated you, thought you were being a stick in the mud when you commented about the wand. But I realize now you were just being frugal."
Turning to the others, he added, "I'll see you all in the morning, I need to let Storm run a little." Having gotten the new armor on his wolf, Rory mounted and headed off towards the lost coast road gate. After they blew off some steam, Rory, not seeing a reason to go clear back out the ruins he was camping in, returned to the open area just east of the church and graveyard. Keeping a small fire by the watch tower, he cooked the last of the snake meat, sharing it and the last of the tubers with Storm. Settling down there in the shadow of the tower, knowing the wolf will keep watch.
As they rode from one end of town to the other Rory mentally counted his coins to make sure he could purchase breakfast. Entering 'Inn' Storm quickly headed to where the tall woman and beardless dwarf were waiting. Arriving in just enough time to hear the Inn owner ask about their plans, Rory dismounted Storm directly to an empty chair. While Storm moved under the table, Rory listened to Kisaiya's answer. Raising an eyebrow as the tall cook gave her employer the fan. It was a nice gift.
As Mukluk pointed out that there were places on the map to explore, he chuckled when the dwarf said it was the 'best' plan. Pointing at the half-eaten scone on Mukluks plate, Rory turned to Ameiko adding, "The best plan was stopping here to eat breakfast. I'm so tired of eating snake. Can I have two of the scones and a rasher of Bacon?"
Once the conversation with the inn keeper is over, Rory turns to Mukluk, asking, "So are you bringing Moose today?"
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Raising an eyebrow about Durgan's comment about 'Prudent' Rory resisted the urge to comment that 'Prudent' would be to stay home. But when they got to the shop he watched as Durgan haggled making sure a fair price was had for all. Shaking his head Rory Realizes he still had a lot to learn about people. Pleased with the prices Durgan help him get for the Mastiff armor and helping sell their older armor, Rory turned to him as they exited Savah’s Armory Rory turned to the religious dwarf, "Durgan I want to thank you for helping me get a fair price. I underestimated you, thought you were being a stick in the mud when you commented about the wand. But I realize now you were just being frugal."
"You are welcome, Rory. My stance is partly frugality, but also that I value protection and defense as tenets of my faith."
"A wand of healing, especially one that is mostly paid for by other people, can encourage overly aggressive and reckless behavior with insufficient attention to defense. Unfortunately, there are injuries that foes may cause that this wand may not heal. Poison or disease, for example. And, with bad luck, any one blow can be lethal. So armor, shields, and good tactics are the best defense, and this wand should not be counted on to keep us alive."
Ameiko laughs lightly, and the room seems to warm a bit further - at least for Kisaiya. "Why of course you may take the day. You don't take enough of them really."
"I'm so glad you have managed those goblins. It's a shame they only seem to understand the sword and won't negotiate. Such hostility." she frowns at the goblins intractability, but it's clear it doesn't bother her for long. There's only so much you can control in this world.
She's fascinated by the fan, the non map side - though she's careful not to smudge the map while appreciating the artwork. "That's very fine. Reminiscent of home and that's a fact. Dad had things much like this."
She chuckles when Durgan outlines his view of all this. "I see you're in good hands. Let me know how it goes."
With that, she slowly moves on to another table - it's a lazy spring morning in the Dragon.
"Where's Moosy Moose?"
"Ah nah," Mukluk moves to itch what appears to be a mule bite on his forearm. "Moose is slightly disappointed that we're not going to go get nuts like I promised. He was in a found mood about it. He's decided to spend another day relaxing here. Which is probably for the best."
"I'll make it up to him tomorrow. Don't you worry about Moose. He's just in a mood. I got him some nice nuts for today and he'll be fine here."
Mukluk finishes his breakfast and is ready to head out when others are sorted.
"That's very fine. Reminiscent of home and that's a fact. Dad had things much like this."
Mukluk frowns at that answer from Ameiko. While he doesn't know what he was expecting, he was expecting something more from Ameiko. Maybe it is only fine. Maybe that's it. But no curiosity about the origin? Harrumph.
As he doesn't want to get murdert, he keeps his dwarven lips shut.
There are three new locations. The caves and far ship will be a slog through the swamp. However, you could cut around on the high ground much more easily, but then you'll need a way to climb down the cliffs (30-40' high) near the cave.
Durgan will purchase a couple of additional items:
Remaining gold: 5 gp
"Whenever we are ready to set out, we might wish to take the high ground and climb down the cliffs to the cave. However, I don't imagine that would be doable for Storm, nor for Moose."
Relieved that Kisaiya's boss let her take another day off, Rory quickly ate he scones and bacon, slipping a piece or two under the table to Storm. He nodded as Durgan spoke on the use of wands for healing, as the cleric did so Rory wondered if he might be able to use the wand. He'd learned a few things from his mother, maybe it would work on the wand as well. Surprised to hear that Moose was in a 'mood' Rory considered Storm, actually the wolf did get in a mood sometimes, but it was usually solved with bacon, or something similar. Nodding, "I understand, hopefully the nuts will work."
Realizing the others were ready to go, Rory resist the urge to order more scones for the road and calls the wolf, "Come on Storm." As Durgan speak about taking the high ground, Rory raises an eyebrow, "So you think the best way to approach the cave is by rappelling down the cliff?" He shrugs, knowing moose was staying in town for the day. "If we really want to do that, a couple of you 'big folk' can lower Storm down."
As they leave the 'Rusty Dragon' Rory will give Storm his head and let him run through town past the gate, then using his knees turn the wolf around so he meets the others outside the gate.
Kisaiya beams at Ameiko’s reaction to the gift. ”I am so glad you like it! I am hoping we find more of its like today. I wonder if they are remains of others who immigrated here around the same time and were lost in the swamp? I hope that we can put them to rest easily.”
As Durgan speak about taking the high ground, Rory raises an eyebrow, "So you think the best way to approach the cave is by rappelling down the cliff?"
"Without knowing a safe path through the swamp, yes, that would be my preference. It looks like we'd be going off of the trails, and I do not wish to drown. I am more confident in the high path as I would be able to see the danger."
"If we really want to do that, a couple of you 'big folk' can lower Storm down."
Durgan is none too pleased about being volunteered for this job.
Oh we can, can we?"No, I don't think I will be doing that. I am not bringing anything along that I am asking you to carry for me."
"If you are so attached to your wolf that you cannot be parted, then I suppose we must trudge through the swamp. So be it."
Kisaiya thinks for a moment on the conversation before shaking her head. ”I disagree with your reasoning, Durgan. By suggesting a certain path that will make things easier for you but harder for others, it is only fair to provide assistance to those who would have a harder time. If Rory were to suggest trudging through the swamp and you are struggling with the water, it would be only fair for him to offer to assist you. Reciprocity is what is important.”
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"I would certainly offer help to any of us who needed it due to unforeseen circumstances, Kisaiya, but I would never plan on being a burden to others.
For example, if one of us had been rendered unconscious by the goblins, I would have helped carry them back. But if one of us simply did not wish to walk, and planned on me carrying them, then I would object.
The route through the swamp may be more difficult for me in my armor, so I will remove my armor. I will not insist that I cannot be parted from it and expect that another will carry me.
I did not expect that the high route would be harder for any of the four of us."
"Indeed, the risk of drowning in the swamp may be even greater for Rory than for me, should the water reach only to my chest. I would think the high road easier for him as well.
But with his expectation that I would carry the wolf for him, I find myself preferring the swamp route."
"Which route do you prefer?"
Kisaiya shakes her head. ”I have no preference. Neither path is difficult for me.” She considers the various elements of ichimeiyo, the code of samurai, and how best to conduct herself here, as she is unused to traveling and fighting with others. This is ultimately a minor disagreement, and becoming too invested would violate the tenet of Tranquility. However, she must stand up for assisting comrades to follow the tenets of Loyalty and Compassion. ”The tenets of the codes I am sworn to of my own will contradict you, so my disagreement stands, but I will not pursue the matter further at this time in the interest of harmony. I have said my peace, and so have you.” She looks to Rory. ”Should we choose the climb, I will happily assist in transporting your wolf. Even if I must do so alone.”
Mukluk is packed and ready to go, he’s already mentally planned out a route to the fireworks.
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Chuckling at Durgan's responce, Rory is about to respond when Kisaiya enters the conversation. He listens, as the tall cook speaks of fairness and reciprocity. Durgan's logic makes sense, Rory wasn't sure he'd carry someone that didn't want to walk either. Had he really said that he expected the dwarf to carry Storm? He really just meant he'd need help lowering him down. Funny how things don't sound the way you mean them when it's repeated back. When the dwarf asks the cook her preference, Rory stops daydreaming and listens to her comment. Raising an eyebrow as she says she doesn't have one but is concerned with 'tenets of the code.' Rory blinks, the cook had a code involving harmony and peace. Looking up at her as she says she would assist him, he blinks again and smiles; being as surprised by her as he'd been by Durgan. Nodding he puts his hand to his chest. "Thank you Kisaiya."
Turning towards Durgan he smiles, "I'm Sorry, the whole thing seems to be a misunderstanding. First, if we are in a situation where we have to climb down the face of a cliff, yes, I'll need help. But other than that, Storm and I will do just fine."
Reaching down he pats Storm on the head. "Second, you asked if the wolf and I are so attached that we cannot be parted, the answer is absolutely. Generations back when my folks were slaves, we had no defense against the humans. Many of us escaped into the woods, some of us were befriended by wolves, a lot of the others were recaptured or killed. The wolves helped us survive and we became wolf riders. My people have been breeding and working with wolves ever since, forging trails through the Sanos helping other slaves escape. With this wolf I'm equal to any human, elf, dwarf or orc and in many ways their better. Why would I leave him anywhere, especially if we're expecting a fight?"
He shrugs lightly, "As for the swamp or the cliff. Third, If we go through the swamp we'll move slow enough that Storm and I can blaze a trail. You won't get more than your boots wet and I'll make it clear enough so that even without me you'll be able to find your way out." He holds up a finger. "Fourth, if we take the cliff, and things go to s#~! and we need out in a hurry, are you going to be able to climb the cliff before the undead get you? Or will you take your chances trying to run through the uncharted swamp."
He shrugs. "I think knowing how you'll get out of a rough spot make sense, instead of just dropping into one."
He looks around the table as he scratches Storm between the ears, smiling nonchalantly, knowing if they didn't get out of town soon, they may as well stay for second breakfast. "No reason we can't talk about it on the way though, right?"
"Yes, I had already said twice that I would do it your way and trudge through the swamp.
I am not sure why we would need to discuss it further."
Kisaiya beams at Ameiko’s reaction to the gift. ”I am so glad you like it! I am hoping we find more of its like today. I wonder if they are remains of others who immigrated here around the same time and were lost in the swamp? I hope that we can put them to rest easily.”
Ameiko smiles, though her thoughts seem to be elsewhere. Still, she snaps back, "Yes, let me know what you find there. Definitely let me know..."
The party continues to discuss which final path to take. A ‘last mile’ problem for sure - and a problem that is tough to solve. Cliff? Swamp? Taking the swamp route will add an hour or two to your day for sure - even with Rory’s sure guidance. But, as suggested, the cliffs might be hard to retreat back up.
I suggest a middle path. Drop down off the cliff on the next tributary up. It’s a few hundred swampy yards away - and if the skeletons are chasing you that far they likely won’t stop whichever route you take as they did the goblins.
Whichever path you take, you eventually arrive at the entrance to an old and fetid cave.
A fifty foot high cliff rises along the marsh’s southern border, its face a thick tangle of jutting rocks and bright green vines and nettles. A curtain of these thick sharp nettle vines partially conceals a cave opening at the base of the cliff.
DC 12 Reflex, if failed DC 12 Fort, if failed sickened for 24 hours.
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