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"Funny, tried to make a meal out of us and now they're being made a meal themselves." Cordelia mused before nodding to the lizardperson, "But of course, help yourself, we're not exactly in a position to process them ourselves. As for our missing companion..." She glances to the rest of her group to get a feel for their opinions on the situation, "... I feel any potential lead would be helpful, yes?"
Gnomes? Kazuuk says quizically. No. And not frog-people like the grippli but frogs. Living sentient beings are not and never food, no matter what you may have heard. he sighs. I know those in the city below do not always care for us. But neither do they care for the swamp, and there is much beauty here.
And danger too he jokes as he hefts one of the dead frogs. But as they eat their found prey we can eat them. And keep the cycle moving.
Kazuuk guides you carefully northwards through the Blackwood Swamp. While the iruxi - for your sake - tries to keep close to stable trails there are sections where you find yourselves getting quite wet as your path unavoidably takes you through deeper marshes.
After a bit under two hours your guide's posture straightens up in pride. Look, ahead. We are here. Tskikha! Following his gaze you see an enclave rising from the swampland. An assemblage of huts and semi-permanent structures have been built on several pieces of elevated land. Iruxi of all ages and scale-color are moving about the village in their daily routines. In the distance to the east you see what look like ruined stone walls rising high up out of the muck.
Kazuuk brings you directly to a solitary hut a short ways away from the enclave's center. As you approaches, the hit's flap opens and a wiry iruxi woman steps out. An armored vest made of a series of small bones rest over her dress, and both of her arms are wrapped around with reed bands.
The woman takes you in and says: “Greetings, you must be more Pathfinders. It is an honor to meet you. I am Chief Thakik of the Tskikha Enclave, and I am responsible for all who dwell here. Including your lost friend, Rain in Cloudy Day. I presume it is him you seek?”
"Rain in Cloudy Day, yes." Chief Thakik nods. "He came to us some weeks ago. Ragged as he arrived - the leshy was brave and bold but unfortunate. He set out without a guide, and had been wandering these swamps for some time. It is lucky he came across us, though at first we assumed he may be a smuggler. But after speaking with him we came to realize he is a genuine spirit, if a bit odd and sometimes foolish. He has been staying here since, interested in the ruins nearby. Perhaps -"
Whatever else the chief was about to say is cut off as many loud shouts of panic echo from outside into the small tent. Thakik and Kazuuk exit the hut in a hurry to see what is the matter
Outside you see many of the villagers calling in fear and pointing towards the east. While the ruined stone walls still stand in the distance, fast approaching from that direction are a series of...things. They almost look like rocks themselves, but large boulders with vague limbs rolling directly towards the village. Kazuuk calls out Again! I must go to ensure the enclave is protected and moves towards the greater village. But heading out to intercept a trio of the rock-things is a ambulatory mushroom, staff in hand and with a leather vest bearing the Glyph of the Open Road: Rain in Cloudy Day!
Initiative
Vikka
At Rinshu's suggestion and Vikka's casting the mushroom leshy seems to notice your approach for the first time. oh. more pathfinders? well come on then. together we can do anything! he cries out as he advances slightly. While continuing to call out praises and encouragement Rain angles his head down and fires out a large solid spore at the lead rock.
for
It squarely strikes the thing, though his spores don’t seem to take.
Initiative
Inspire Courage up
Jortix
Maurice (runic weapon'd)
Rinshu
Maurice charges ahead, and with luck, inspiration, and an ally-enchanted spear her pinions the rock twice until it crumbles into rubble.
Initiative
Inspire Courage up
Jortix
Rinshu
Rinshu's bolt strikes true on one of the remaining rock-creatures, while Jortix's dark magic also covers it.
The other earthen invader seems to pull its limbs a bit closer towards itself as it rolls forwards at Dart and Maurice. As it reaches the pair, a crack seems to form in it as a 'mouth' of stone opens up to strike at the goblin.
for
Missing, it then bites out at the horse as it unfurls itself into a more vaguely humanoid form once more.
for
Initiative
Inspire Courage up
Jerikyo
Jerikyo's divine strike fails to connect this time, as his target rolls up towards Maurice and also lashes out at the goblin. Though it remains cloaked in Jortix's darkness, it shroud doesn't seem to affect the rock-thing much as it bites the goblin, and almost gets in a second chomp.
for
for
Initiative
Inspire Courage up
Vikka
Coredlia
The chipped rock seems to shrug off Vikka's spell, but Rain in Cloudy Day is upbeat anyway.
that's it guys! one down, two to go! and that's a good idea sir: focus on one at a time!
He shoots another spore out at the 'green' rock, whihc connects. Its looking a bit cracked as the leshy jumps up and down inspiringly.
for
see! together we can save the village in no time!
Initiative
Inspire Courage up
Jortix 13/15 HP
Maurice 22/28 HP (runic weapon'd), Dart 11/22 HP
Rinshu
Maurice's first swing connects with his target and - well boosted by Vikka and Rain's magic - shatters it. Turning his focus to the remaining rock-thing, the goblin's stabs and Jortix and Rinshu's shots are able to drop that as well.
In the distance you see Kazuuk and other iruxi warriors finishing off a few more of the stone-creatures in the village's heart. Here the fungal leshy approaches you, jumping up and down in joy.
that was great! we managed to take them down like that, and protect the village! He looks at you are you pathfinders too? awesome! im rain in cloudy day, and i'm one too. well, almost. but once i finish my confirmation i will be! what mission did they send you out here for? oh, and what are your names?!? sorry, i got so excited i was rude.
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"Cordelia Maxwell" She introduces herself to the Leshy, "And indeed, following your trail up to this point didn't fill me with hope. Good to see you're in one piece. We were sent to find you since it's been a week or two since you last checked in and the Deans feared the worst." She nodded, then moved to look Rain in Cloudy Day over to make sure they aren't too badly injured from the commotion earlier.
Rain eagerly smiles at your introductions, and shakes the hands of those willing to meet his. you came here looking for me? oh, i'm so sorry! i must have forgotten to check in! i guess i lost track of the time, but this is such a great discovery!
The leshy points to the stone ruins in the distance. you see that? my research back at the grand lodge had enough references that i thought there might be some unexplored structures in this part of taldor. and there are! chief thakik has been real kind to me and has let me explore around them, and from the markers i've deciphered there those ruins are part of an old Azlanti settlement! they're old: all the way back from the city-state of 'nacar-azen' when the azlanti stretched all the way over to this part of the world!
Rain in Cloudy Day looks back at you. thakik and all of the iruxi have been so nice! well, once they realized i wasn't here to cause trouble. i had a real string of bad luck getting here - my boat trip hit bad weather and was late, the lateness raised my inn costs, most of my provisions were stolen, and then my guide never showed up. but this village's scouts found me and thanks to them i've been able to start charting the edges of this major new discovery!
those? Rain looks at the crumbled elementals. Then shrugs i dunno. there's plenty of creatures and monsters in the swamps, but i havn't seen his type before. they just started charging straight at the village so i thought i should jump in and help fight them off!
As the leshy is saying this, from the village center chief Thakik returns and strides towards you all.
“Ah, I see you have reconnected with your fellow Pathfinder-in-training. I am pleased, but I wish this reunion could be under better circumstances.” Thakik pauses and looks back in the direction of the enclave.
“Our scouts report that the creatures that attacked came out from a larger set of these ruins, deeper in the swamp. The ruins you have been so talkative about." she says, glancing directly down towards Rain. "They emerged from a partially submerged structure, meaning we have no idea of the threat within—but we assume the site is quite dangerous. I know you have been interested in investigating those structures Rain in Cloudy Day, but the risk was too great. But now, if things are emerging from that place, perhaps the balance has changed. Our enclave can’t afford to withstand more of these attacks.”
Thakik looks over all of your assembled group, as well as Rain. “Would you be willing to venture into this structure and find out what has agitated the creatures within?”
Rain hops up and down yes yes yes absolutely no problem y- Then, realizing he's one of many, and not even yet a full Pahtfinder at that, he turns to you. i mean, we should help them, right? cooperating with local friends to explore a new discovery so we can report back on it?
"We do not know much about them" Thakik admits. "They were here long before our group came and settled here. [b]"Overgrown and likely unstable in the swamp muck, we left it alone. It is only recently that things such as those rocks have begun to emerge from it."
its an azlanti ruin. im sure of it! Rain in cloudy Day adds. well...mostly sure. i havent been able to go down into it alone. but together im sure we can figure out what might have riled anything up!
"Should you go to scout them, you should be rested." the chief says. "And even if you choose not, your help today itself should not go unnoticed. Come: we will get quarters for you and you can feast with us tonight."
Thakik has several extra beds for each of you prepared in an unused hut for you all to sleep in. She also ensures that Dart is looked after and cared for for the night as well. Rain and yourselves are then invited to join a group of the iruxi, including her and Kazuuk for dinner. The meal is turtle soup enhanced with bits of roasted frog, and a sweet dish of nuts and berries for desert. Rain in Cloudy Day is served a dish of dead leaves and decaying swamp moss, which he consumes with gusto.
With wounds patched and belies full, you can turn in for a good night's rest.
The next morning Rain in Cloudy Day is up early. The leshy patiently waits while your wake and prepare and consume the hearty breakfast the iruxi provide you but is antsy and eager to get moving. oh boy, what an auspicious day! an undocumented azlanti site. ill bet we can get in the chronicles for this!
When you are all ready you can head out towards the distant ruins, Rain enthusiastically leading the way. True to his word that journey takes about two hours to trek across the swamp. During which time the Pathfinder initiate regularly peppers you all with questions.
my first big delve. how exciting! have any of you explored any dungeons before?
or have you gone to any neat places? other than absalom and taldor i haven't really explored the inner sea much but i hear we have lodges even on other continents on the other side of the world. have you been to any of those?
kazuuk said you fought some toads in the swamp too. were they tough? what's the scariest monster you've had to face?
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Cordelia does her best to keep up with the leshy's enthusiasm as they travel, even if some of the questions strike a couple of raw nerves, "Most of my work before joining the Society's been above ground so this will be my first proper delve as well; though I've heard plenty of stories and rumors about these sorts of places." She hummed forcing a smile as she spoke.
The last question made her smile immediately vanish, however, the otherwise amiable woman going rather conspicuously silent as she stares off into the middle distance while walking, one hand clasping her other and idly rubbing her thumb over her palm before she forces herself to snap out of it, shaking her head as she regains her bearings.
you're a new agent too! neat! just like me - well once this confirmation is done. Rain grins at Jortix. To Rinshu his eyes widen: a magic goblin-eating lion! that's just like something from a fairy tale or a spooky campfire story. well, maybe a goblin-campfire story. he adds, looking to Maurice for confirmation.
As you walk and talk the stone walls grow slightly taller against the horizon. Eventually you come to the ruin itself. Though the swamp seems to have mostly consumed the structure over the millennia a large stone platform still sticks out from the muck and morass, though at a slightly skewed angle. Foilage, moss, and lichen grow unchecks over several partially-collapsed walls and pillars that remain around it. At the center of the platform a long stone stairway descends down below the earth and into a deeper structure below.
Rain in Cloudy Day approaches the yawning stairway. He peers down it, then turns back to you with a grin. this is it! we can delve down together cordelia! the leshy's expression then shifts into one of concern. oh, yeah: do the rest of you know how to see in the dark? thakik lent me this torch - he pulls out a torch from his pack that is already burning with a heatless flame - but if the rest of you have weaker eyes then the more light might be the better.
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"One of us should have the the everburning torch mister Farabellus loaned us before we left." She states, doing her best to sound as if nothing had been troubling her moments ago as she looks over the group to see if any of them produce the item in question, "Though if necessary I have a handful of torches on hand as well." She adds, just in case they forgot to grab it when they left.