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We went looking for goblins and found so much more. I never expected any of this was hidden in the swamp. Marten says as the wander back in to town. A smile spreads across his face as the children rush up to them. Oh we found all sorts. Hidden treasure, adventure, monsters! he twists his face into a scowl and his hands into faux claws as he chases this children around to delighted squeals. He had always wanted children of his own and laughed at their antics.
The exchange with the noble spirit of Minkai touches Marten deeply. He finds himself saddened that such a man of duty and honour should end his days in a filthy cavern like this. His own people make a home in caves to watch the sun rise over the sea and be part of the earth - but this place has been left to ruin and has the taint of undeath. We should bury them. Or honour them somehow. he says simply, less concerns with the items in the chest.
I hope you find the peace you deserve, Noble spirit Marten says solemnly
I'm afraid they will dent my table. Or worse, if someone rolls them on the digital tabletop we use, they would crack the screen. I've always avoided metal dice for those reasons.
And how is it you came to be here of all places, so far from home? Marten asks, eyeing the situation suspiciously
Marten hangs closer to the back, wary of this damp and dank place and hoping not to be crept up on in the darkness.
I hear nothing. No movement, nothing. Marten reiterates. But look here in the mud, more footprints. They certainly came this way.
Marten scans the gloomy darkness for signs of passage or movement.
Marten follows in cautiously. He casts light on a stone and throws it some distance ahead, hoping to illuminate whatever is beyond the nettle screen. Remember how the other just jumped up.... careful now. he says.
Marten shoulders his bag and starts off in the direction of the tracks
Marten rises early as is his usual tradition. He adds herbs and various other ingredients to the embers of the fire and breathes new life into it until it churns out thick wisps of acrid smoke. As the scent infuses him he feel his head begin to swim and he chants in a language older than the sea that receded to create this swamp. Afterwards, he gathers his gear and picks up the trail of the skeletons once again. Shall we continue this pursuit?
Marten sits quietly by the fire as the others converse, stitching the wounds in his brother and Friday.
If there are more of those things to find then perhaps we should regain our strength. Neither you nor Friday are in good shape, Gryf, and I have no more means to heal you. Unless Haru can further close those wounds I think we should stay here where it is at least relatively dry and head out in search tomorrow. I appreciate that the tracks may have faded by then, but it's the safer course of action.
I don't understand. If this ship is where the skeletons came from, why did they go to the goblin village and where did they go after that? This whole thing is odd indeed.
Marten appears next to Haru, shield raised and wary. If there are more I think we should retreat, Gryf and Friday are still pretty torn up. Careful now.... he says, scanning the dim interior of the ship. You try and prise it free Haru, I'll cover you.
Aye, he'll live brother. I just wish I could tend your wounds as well but the best I can do is dress them.
Stand back. Marten says, unconsciously waving Xel aside. Let me take a look at him. The Druid kneels down and examines the warrior. Laying his hand on his chest he call upon the power of nature to heal the man.
That thing will tear him apart unless we do something now! marten thinks desperately. He conjures another dart of acid and throws it in the perpetually grinning face of the skeleton leering over Friday.
Marten conjures a dart of acid and hurls it at the skeletons attacking his brother.
As the skeletons raise from the muck, Marten looks on grimly at the pitted armour and the red glint of evil in their eyes. He raises his hand and begins chanting in language the others do not understand, not even Gryf. The words are old, far more ancient than these fell creatures and as he does so the swamp responds to his commands. The reeds and vines begin to twist and contort, enlarging far beyond their normal growth until the entire area around the ship is suddenly a writhing mass of green vines.
Surely too much to be a coincidence. Marten replies.
Wait... so let's think this through. At some point in the past a fleet, or at least two ships, sailed across the ocean to come here. They must have made their way along the river in land and then what? Got stuck when the water level dropped in the swamp? Hmmm... Marten considers it all as he scratches at the stubble on his chin. But why? I suppose inside is the only place we shall find answers.
Well however it was it seems like it happened a while ago. Animals would take time to strip a body to bone, even out here Marten says thoughtfully
As he is binding Friday's foot Marten takes a glance around at the ground around the shack I don't see any of those skeletal footprints around here. Maybe we missed something. I think we should double back and see if we can pick them up again, I don't think they came from here.
Let me take a look at that wound, Friday. But not here, outside I still don't trust this place. Can the rest of you search here quickly? But be careful. Once back out of the creaky shack, Marten binds the wound on Friday's foot and staunches the bleeding with a poultice of crushed herbs from his satchel.
Marten stumbles but maintains his footing. Maybe some doors are best left closed... he muses, looking down at the hole and thinking how easily he could have broken an ankle.
Marten yanks on the door but it is wedged shut. Gryf, see what you can do? he says, somewhat bashfully.
Patience, brother. Whatever it is, it’s behind that door. Be ready. Marten says, raising his shield and pulling open the door before quickly stepping to one side.
Careful! Marten gasps as Friday’s foot goes through the rotten floorboards. This old place looks like it is only standing because of the moss holding it together, we will be lucky if the whole place doesn’t come down around our ears. He scans the dark corners of the musty old shack, looking for any sign of movement or the source of that weird sound.
Marten grips his shield in a sweating hand. He had taken the Spirit Walk and seen much on his travels but if he was honest he had seen little in the way of combat. The arrows thundering into his chest when facing the goblin chief had shaken him quite badly, more so than he was willing to admit, especially to his brother. With these thoughts running through his mind, a ramshackle old witch's hut was doing nothing to silence the disquiet.
Marten looks to Friday and Gryf. You both fairly sliced that thing and yet it still escaped. We should be careful going in here, it seems tough and full of tricks. he says, hefting his shield.
As the disgusting man-faced creature pops out, Marten instinctively lifts his leg out of the way and fortunately the thing can bite nothing but air. Mother's mercy, what is that thing? he cries before conjuring a solid ball of snow and ice that he hurls at it, smashing down onto it's back.
Really? Marten says with some surprise. I heard nothing, I was too busy helping Friday with these vermin but if there is something else here we should be especially careful
Damned swamp rats! There must be a nest in there, no telling how many are left. Marten says with a curl of his lip.
Sorry guys, should have said I was away this weekend and my posting will be limited. Oh happy birthday by the way :)
Marten continues to bolster Friday as best he can.
Moving behind Friday, Marten lays a hand on his shoulder and asks the spirits to give the warrior guidance.
Marten nervously awaits Friday opening the door to the shed
Marten also stands back away from the shed as Friday prepares to open it, hoping that if they have found where the skeletons made their way to, that no one else was hurt by them first.
This place doesn't look inhabited, it looks like it's barely standing. Let's be careful in case something else has moved in. Marten says, edging toward the door and, if there is no response to Friday or Gryf, pulls it open.
Marten returns to the group, his interest now piqued by the footsteps. There's tracks. Down there by the lake. he points. If you're willing to wait a little longer to hand in our bounty we could see where they lead. I know I for one am curious as to what exactly happened here. he adds with an almost hopeful look at Gryf. |
