Jericho looks at the party, as if asking for permission, before his curiosity gets the better of him and he blurts out to the female dwarf, "Were you and your brother looking for the Vault?"
While listening to what is being said, Penny keeps her eyes on the surrounding area.
Penny senses no danger from the surrounding area. After the dwarf is freed from her bonds, she extends a hearty handshake to the party. "I am Ingrahild Nargrymkin. My brother, Ulmo, and I came to the Ghostlight Marsh looking for the tomb of our ancestor, Nargrym Steelhand. Wait...I am starting to remember. Ulmo and I came here with a pair of hired mercenaries, and we stumbled on this circle of standing stones. That looked druidic to me. We were ambushed by a coven of green hags and their marsh giant bodyguard. The mercenaries died instantly. One of the hags cast some magic on me and ulmo and that is the last I remember. Maybe he is still at the circle of stones? I think I remember how to get there. Will you accompany me?"
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Jericho forgot Ulmo's surname so he surmises that all dwarves have the same or similar clan name. "The circle of stones? Yes, that would helpful if you could guide us there. Also, have you seen any wisps? We need one to fuel the lantern. I think that's what Silvermane said, right?" Jericho looks at the rest of the party, trying to remember.
Ulmo waved Jericho away. "You're right, you're right, but wait a fooking moment." He took a deep breath. "Ingrahild!?" He said, looking at the other dwarf. Behind the dirt and grime he recognized her for who she said she was. "Ye and Ulmon came here for Nargrym's tomb?" Likewise, he took off his helmet to reveal his own features.
"Alright. Alright." Standing upright, he brought a hand to his brow: this was a lot to take in.
"Everyone. This is Ingrahild. She and Ulmon are me cousins. Left home many years ago. Didn't think that I'd see them again...like this." Then turning to Ingrahild, he said "The two half-elves? Jericho and Penny, and the big guy is Goliath. Came here looking for an old druidic Vault for giant-hunting." With introductions out of the way, he continued "But aye. We will accompany ye. If Ulmon is alive, then we will find him. And if not, then by Dranngvit..." He trailed off, his face a mask of worry and grim resolve.
While he didn't say it, Ulmo's lifelong journey was to live up to Nargrym’s legend. That his cousins had independently been drawn to seek out Steelhand's tomb spoke as towards how monumental that legacy was. For the entire clan, all grew up in the shadow of giants. And in their own way, everyone felt the pressure to measure up to the legacy they were born into.
* As per discussion with GM, the NPC Ulmo is having his name changed to Ulmon.
Jericho smiles as Ulmo introduces his cousin and walks up and shakes Ingrahild's hand. "Jericho Darkleaf, at your service. You fight really well with your axes. Glad you're on our side."
"Sometimes it feels like all dwarves are related." Goliath observes from his observations of dwarves. "I am Goliath, of the Uleyov Shadde-Quah." The druid introduces himself.
"Penny Foundling." is all Penny says as she nods politely.
Going back to scanning the surrounding area, something drove the Dwarf crazy here. Well crazier anyway.
Ingrahild hugs Ulmo and proudly greets the rest of the party. Looking at Jericho, she smiles, "Actually, now that you mention it. My brother and I did pass by an eerie section of the swamp where we saw some wisps. Given the fact that they are tough bastards, we avoided them like the plague. However, given the fact that you are looking for them, I can definitely lead you there after I heal from the beating you apparently gave me.
"Hmm. Giant bodyguard, you say?" It has been several hours since he's slain anything large.
Looking far more animated (even in higher spirits) than he had been before, Ulmo marched on with head held up high. He gave Goliath a friendly nod of the head at his actions, pleased to see his kin healed.
Goliath is ready to face the giant. Witches and wisps are of lesser concern to him. Though they do need to find one whisps upon whom to slay and use as lantern fuel. Unless the wisssps can be convinced to help them. He is of druidic kin to their summoners, after all.
With Ingrahild healed, she thanks Goliath for his handy wand and happily leads you NE through the swamp. 10 minutes later, you reach your destination, a safe spot some 200' from a copse of trees where you can see the flickering lights of will-o-wisps moving through the swamp before disappearing from sight and reappearing elsewhere. "I do not know why you need them, but there's a bunch of wisps for your choosing. Now what?"
Ulmo nodded, as he took off his backpack and pulled out a lantern. "This here is a ghost light lantern. We were told that we need to put the husk of a dead will-o'-wisp inside. If we do so, it'll light a beacon that'll point us to a circle of standing stones that will mark the entrance to a Vault. If we shine the light over the central standing stone, then we'll be able to enter the Vault of Thorns and loot it right good." Looking over at Ingrahild he continued "Then we were planning to head over to Redlake Fort to fook up some giants and tuskers."
Turning back to the party, he said "These mites seem quick, and I've heard how dangerous they can be. Any suggestions on how to kill one?"
Jericho tells the party what he knows about will-o-wisps.
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Goliath's knowledge of small things is limited.
Jericho shares with you that will-o-wisps are evil aberrations common to swamps that can fly, become naturally invisible at will, are immune to most spells except magic missiles, and they have an electrified touch that can kill most commoners. They are also difficult to hit and are healed by your fear or death. They are known by many names: jack o’ the lanterns, corpse candles, walking fires, pine lights, spooklights, and rushlights.
”Sounds right nasty. I’m going to stab one with my spear.” Ulmo said. ”Not sure what else can be done. Least on my end…everyone can ambush it once it is after me.”
"Does anyone have any protection magic against electricity? If not, let's try to not get hit. All we need is one wisp, I believe, in the lantern, so let's not attract more than one. Ready to approach when everyone else is."
"They sound dangerous for ones so small. We should prepare the appropriate spells to combat them first." Goliath says, inclining his head towards Penny, since she seems to be the most arcane inclined and these sound to Goliath like creatures of the Arcane.
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Penny nods, she does have Magic missile prepared.
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Lest they lose their momentum, Sven tried to sneak up on a wisp so that they could get on with their quest.