It was a bloody day, a terrible sight.:10d20 ⇒ (15, 14, 12, 7, 12, 13, 3, 3, 17, 12) = 108
Alfonso, in spite of his peaceful desire to determine a motive behind the ambushes along the road, faced brutal combat in the village. The party knew where the goblins were, true, but Shalewen and Shadow did not survive the first engagement, and she took a pike to her throat from a scared greenboy. Shadow barred his fangs and dove into the daggers of six goblins himself, mad with the fury of loss. He wrecked carnage, but it was not what she wanted. She tried to say it while she lay there gurgling up her life's blood. She tried to tell him that he should live.
While they were in that first room, a call went out among the villagers, and the other goblins swarmed out of hiding. Fortunately Lou was at the door. He adeptly tripped, dodged and spun among the gang of tribal goblins, and kept the way clear for Alfonso to cast a few prickly surprises.
The chieftain and a few others fled out of the village through the gate during the fighting, and Laurentii and Trig went swiftly after them. They caught the goblins in a ford, and were about to subdue them when a great stalking monster with mandible jaws bearing sharp rows of predatory teeth showed up.
The sucking mud they fought in trapped Laurentii's boots, and the thing's claws rent his flesh until he succumbed. Trig and his companion would not leave, determined to earn their nobility, heedless of the cost. Fergus caught the thing's leg in his powerful Jaws while Trig raised high his weapon, splitting the grey-skinned swamp thing's belly wide and covering everything in the green slime that spewed forth from the monstrosity. The two returned to the village with Laurenti on a makeshift sled behind Fergus.
Lou, who had been hanging his head, turned to Alfonso. Most of the villagers had escaped. Neither of the men wanted to slay the goblins they had found. Still, there were the dead, and a half-ruined village, and then, outside those palisade walls, there was the swamp too. Brinestump. It was a name that did not hold any justice. There was no for such a place.
For his part, the mage had found something interesting. Picking through the detritus of a filthy goblin throne room was nothing to worry about when one came prepared with all the proper spells, after all. There was Tien jewlery, a kind of puzzle box with a brilliant golden wyrm of some kind on it, and then there were the fireworks, a whole wagon load. They were old things, and they bore scratches and filth on most every surface.
He showed the interesting items to Trig, and to Lou.
Pulled from the swamp, they agreed.
And as night fell, the insects began to gather in thick clouds, buzzing and chirping outside the walls of the place.
Pulled from that dark uncharted swamp, so close to home, and yet so full of secrets.
Alfonso, are you okay with the others dying, and then you wind up heading back to the road? or would you rather have new entrants meet you here in goblintown?
Kirpate the fine familiar who circled the village at low level is able to determine the location several squads of squeaky goblins. Most are located south of you in the village. There are some more to the east. Sorry no map, yet. If we don't hear from the others, I'd be happy to run a solo for you, but I fear we have finally lost their spirits.
I keep waiting for players to chime in, but I won't in future. As I am moving house, scanner is out of action for the moment. I'll do what I can to update the map soonest.
You head up a small ladder, and find a filthy empty room up in the watchtower. A small-size shortbow lays on the ground, but it reeks of urine. The windows look out of the tower to the north and east, giving you a view of the ruined gate and the scummy pond.
PerC DC10:
The gates were burst outward when they were broken. Damaged from the inside.
1d20:1d20 ⇒ 11
Kirpate can hear movement within one of the buildings. The party crosses through the threshold unmolested, the scent of charred flesh lingers over the courtyard. Although you are partially covered in shadow, the humid swamp air is nonetheless making it a hot and nasty afternoon for most of you.
1. It is a muddy pit, with something in the bottom, where a fire took place. 2. Dotted lines denote railings on raised wooden plank walkways. (somehwat ramshackle in appearance.) 3. Each building is probably fully enclosed, but you only can see enough to get a general sense of the layout. With closer inspection, you will get a better sense of where buildings end and begin. Light lines denote probable walls or building seams, but again further inspection will flesh them out into more solid understanding. 4. The ruins of one of the village structures. Partially overgrown.
This complex of crude old huts connected with wooden catwalks, all are held aloft by thick sturdy beams.
Little more that a village in side, this is a dirty palisade fort set atop a hill of solid ground. A wooden gate in the north palisade wall lies in ruins. A large green pool on the northeastern side breaks the palisade and allows a clearer view into the village's insides.
Fortunately, having Kirpate overhead improves your understanding of the lay of the land. There seems to be some kind of pit in the front of the complex, and a ruined building right near the pond.
...There appears to be no movement outside of any kind.
It does seem we had some early RP issues, and some people post faster than others.
Play by Post is an endeavour of persistence, though. As these games stretch on for years and years at a time, it is important we invest that time in stories we want to tell, in characters we want to see and interact with. I wouldn't be running Jade Regent if I did not want to hear the story out.
So, in so many words, courage friends.
Furthermore, every PBP game of Jade Regent seems to have a very awkward time handling the tavern and initial start from Sandpoint. I am flabberghasted as to why.
I mean, it's a trope. Isn't it a trope because it's simple in execution?
You make your way along the path and Shalewen calls a halt before going to scout ahead.
If anyone wants to scout with her, please say so.
After a few minutes she returns. "It is the goblin village ahead." she says, slowly streaming out the words.
"It looks damaged... I did not see any goblins."
Laurentii assumes that other natural threats might lurk ahead. Purple moss certainly seems to thrive in damp or moist areas.
Shalewen approaches the cleared bridge and shakes the two wolves awake. She seems willing to continue tracking ahead for you all. The two wolves seem to revive without any sign of serious harm.
With his skill at arcane finesse, Alfonso carefully burns up the moss until it seems to react. As if in a wave, the moss grows up and plunges into the torch, sending both the purple + green plant and the torch over into the creek bed below.
As the plant growth tumbles away, shadow is revealed beneath the carpet of moss. Treg Jegman shakes himself awake immediately, but the two wolves seem content to sleep a might longer.
Shalewen, for her part, seemed terribly distraught over the whole occurrence. You think she was probably paralyzed by second-guessing herself. She visibly recomposes herself, and comes up to put a hand on Alfonso's shoulder gently.
"Thank you... perhaps I am-- I apologize for being so brash earlier."
Anyone approaching within 10ft of the moss must make a DC12 fort save or fall asleep.
The moss does not get a turn, so all you have to say is something like, "I approach the bridge with a lit torch and begin to light the dry wood of the bridge on fire." and so it shall be. Just remember, you have some friends on there.
Sensing the sweet smell of the forest after it rains, Trig & Fergus fall into a deep, deep sleep, and their momentum carries them forward onto the bridge in front of Lou. There, they collapse into a jumbled pile.
Trig's Dream:
You find yourself in a lavishly appointed meeting place. Deep green tapestries hang from the walls and your adoring fans clamor around you. The wise old queen of the gnomes stands at the other end of the hall, awaiting you.
If anyone else feels the same way, we might be able to pick up the tempo. Otherwise, I stand by "we post when we can."
Suppose I'm going to have to write her out soon, and I want to reach out to some of our other earlier applicants to see if any of them are interested in jumping in.
Lou notices that the area around the moss is extremely dry, then as he approaches, he detects a strong sweet smell in the air. It reminds him of restful summer days at the inn, but then he is able to shake it off, focusing on the task at hand.
Lou moves forward and begins bashing at the moss-covered bridge, making several indentations in the thick fuzzy carpet of purple and green.
Trig and Fergus please make fort saves for me. DC, as you may have guessed, is 12.
The one was your pet's save. He does not know (nature) quite as well as you sentients. He smelled a sweet smell and then fell down as far as you can tell.
Lou, give me a fort save, please sir. If you don't give me one in a bit, I'll just roll for you.
The wolf approaches the bridge, and noticing a sweet smell, he steps onto the bridge.
1d20:1d20 ⇒ 1
The wolf falls down before your very eyes, and then the plants on the bridge begin to grow over Shadow. Like a swelling green and purple carpet, the moss rolls over the wolf, covering it.
I'll handle shadow's actions for this scene.
From what you have seen, the trail has not been commonly used. However, you have all been striking off a bit off the path to avoid potential ambushes.
You follow your parallel route down beside the trail until you arrive at a steep creek bank. Off to your right, you notice a rickety-looking bridge. It crosses the ugly stream which slowly crawls between the mud banks. Beside the bridge is a wooden plank sign which bears the faded common letters, "Fish Trail." It looks like the bridge is old and covered in short purple and green plant life, but serviceable. It looks like the bridge is drier than the damp earthen path beyond, which makes it look a sight better than most things here.
You all continue across the old fish bridge and deeper into the swamp proper, yes? Or do you attempt the creek?
Shalewen expertly follows the tracks she has seen so far. You all take the middle path down and west, into the swamp below.
Here the trees overhang the many creeks and rivulets of dark grey or muddy water. The brush which the goblins passed through is thock, and you must decide, is it worth pursuing by hacking your own path, or will you find your way nimbly through the swampy terrain?
And which one did the godlins go down? That is the one I am aiming for.
You are currently south of the middle trail, north of the south trail. The tracks lead north, but without following the tracks among the bushes you can't be sure which trailhead the goblins may have used.
If no one has any other business here, we will move along here shortly.
The third group (Heavy humanoids) appears to have come from the road, then gone back to the road.
"C-caww" Alfonso's bird calls down. This seems to mean that it sees the swamp nearby. It can see for a good three miles in every direction, but the dense foliage makes it hard to pick out anything of particular interest at the moment.
Swamp 101: There are two houses in the swamp - one along the Witch's Trail in the south. One more along the northern trail has a small jetty in the clearing around it. A middle trail seems to lead to a clearing where cook fires are sending smoke into the air. However, our bird would not be able to see anything but the smoke and tree leaves in that area.
Lou finds some grasslike blue herbs nearby. They seem to have minute fuzzy protrusions along their surface.
As you approach, you can smell the old smoke from the recent attack. Along the road east of Brinestump Marsh, you find the burned out hulk of a wooden cart. Some charred textile goods lay strewn about the site. This is the main trade route to Magnimar from Sandpoint. Anyone who has read a map knows that much.
From the tracks of the first group, it's clear that at least a dozen goblins were present, but no more than thirty, and the tracks lead west into the swamp. Four goblins seemed to be carrying heavy prizes away into the marsh. Their ambush tactic seemed to involve a single lookout, and then the larger mass of the goblins ran in towards the caravan. It seems they tried to overrun the caravan, but met with solid resistance.
Second group-The tracks of six humans are on site as well. Mostly, the human footprints seem consistent for men, but it appears that a lone woman was present at the scene.
Some time later, a set of three heavy humanoids' prints were left. Shalewen's expert eyes can tell that by the time these humanoids showed up, the goblins were already long gone. This third group was made up of medium-sized humanoids.
Estimated time of the attack (based on footprints) places the original skirmish at about eight or nine at night.
As you are approaching your scene, Shadow realizes Shalewen has left his favorite doggie treat at home. The distraction from this missing chew toy causes him no end of anxiety.
He is unable to roll perception for this site. Fortunately, Shalewen rolled well on her survival roll for this bit.
The party is currently approaching where they think the caravan was attacked.
Whoops.
I had it wrong in my chronology. After shopping, before gate guards.
Go ahead and roll again.
Yes it was a good roll. No, it wasn't for this scene.
I also apparently missed Alfonso's little paragraph where he mentioned joining the group to see the guards. Looks like the spoiler I posted is pretty unecessary. Sorry about that.
When the group leaves the tavern, Alfonso finds himself mostly alone at a table. He sits there, his deciphered message and his notes alongside it. The door to the tavern closes with a ca-chunk.
Suddenly, Alfonso hears a loud slurping noise coming from the man at the bar, Julen Brelade. He turns to see the man staring over a pint glass at him. A great guzzling sound rings through the room as the beer quickly drains away, like the sands of an hour glass lost in some forsaken pit. It is the blood of life disappearing down the gullet of time.
The look upon the man's face is a familiar one. Alfonso gets it every day from every person he passes in town. At once it pronounces him different, flawed, alone. Immediately feeling unwelcome in town, and eager to change his fortunes, Alfonso departs the tavern following the others. He is at once overcome by the urge to tolerate these rowdie adventurer's company. With Koya out of town, he finds himself grown uncomfortably short on his supply of friends.
As it turns out, the guards you speak to have a brother who was working freelance on one of the caravans that was attacked. They give you a precise spot along the bend in the road. ..."He was terrified when we saw him. He said the goblinses lit the sky ablaze. You'll not find me going after 'em."
In order to satisfy his curiosity, Alfonso accompanies you to the caravan attack site. At first, he follows your group at a distance. Then, he joins you properly once you reach the caravan site.
With a diplomacy check, you can ask around, or, via roleplay, you can ask around further. Currently, all you know is that the attack was along the Lost Coast Road.
Julen declines to join you, and continues past you. He slides Lou a hint of a knowing nod, a frown on his face.
"Fair Ameiko, I am in need of good fare, good ale, and an ear lent to my ails before I am spent." you all hear him call.
If inside, you watch as he takes a seat next to Shalelu at the bar, bending his head over his ale. The elf seems to be ignoring him.
Meanwhile, Alfonso is buried among parchment. After consulting an old book of codes and an old engineering text, he has a good grasp of the cipher at hand. It seems the pathfinder society has been involved in some local skullduggery. They sent two agents into the swamp - Brinestump - a few years ago.
As for intelligence, gotta challenge ya somehow. Too easy to have you appraising at this point. Also, too boring!
However that's not all. For the pathfinders sent a szcarni woman in next, and she killed them both. The letter here confirms the fact. Pathfinder officers sending criminal elements after their own, and all of it seems like it has to do with the marsh. Even though no one is actually named, there, right on the page, the words look up at you: "Brinestump Marsh".
You cannot quite piece it together, but it seems odd that the Pathfinders took an interest in the little marsh for so long a time - all without involving the locals.
It was well kept, but it is no longer a secret to Alfonso.
Alright, after some Zzz's, the gameplay post is in.
If you all would rather find another Sandpoint excursion to go on, now is the time to decide just what that might be.
Let me know, and we'll cook up a different flavor of plot that has less to do with a bounty, public safety and exploration.
Our two shoppers are able to execute their search in swift order, finding most of the tools they seek at the Feathered serpent and among market stalls.
Lou and most of you locals know that the "rowdies" sent off to Brinestump involved a halfling szcarni scout, a dredlocked druid, and a stout shoanti fighter. Their names were Vedik, Riverrun, and Kent. They were well enough respected in the area, but hadn't made a real name for themselves yet as mercenaries.
Alfonso finds that Koya is not home for the moment. You remember speakig with her at length about Sandru the last time you saw her in town. He may not be a sophisticate like yourself, but he does his best for your odd little adoptive family clan.
She has tasked Alfonso with examining an encoded vellum scroll. Not for free, of course. You will be paid. Nonmagical, it recently came into her possession via a friend in Magnimar. Mostly written in varisian, from what you know, it takes an intelligence or engineering check to really crack into the thing.
From what you can tell so far, it relates to a very difficult mission undertaken by a pair of elite Pathfinder agents.
An hour goes by, and the party, save for Alfonso, rallies back together to determine how they will go about their next course of action... The rusty dragon is serving lunch. Out front, your only permanent company seems to be Julen, smoking his pipe.
Players, It is not in my nature to railroad you into an adventure path you seem to be disinterested in playing.
If we are more interested in exploring a dire threat to Sandpoint, perhaps one that allows your characters no choice but to set aside their differences, a different first chapter can be arranged.
"I'm just playing the character" is a poor excuse. It seems to be what both of you are saying.
Together, we share in the cooperative atmosphere of the paizo boards. That is the great thing about this space. We support each other, and join together.
We collaborate.
I would like to see you both working together this week. In both this thread, and in gameplay.
One: new toys. The fireworks the goblins are bringing to bear can cause serious damage! This could be a REALLY big problem if they've learned how to make their own somehow...
Two: the sherriff and mayor recently sent a team of adventurers into the marsh to suss out the situation, but they're overdue now. We believe they may have met with an ill fate.
Magnimar will refuse to aid us until they see one of their citizens effected. Korvosa sees this as a local concern. The guards, while capable, cannot spare extra men to go into the marsh itself, though they have stepped up patrols on the road. She laughs when you suggest bargaining or paying off the goblins. Oh you are a creative one, sir.
Perhaps the adventurers the mayor's office sent tried to talk with the goblins, but the marsh is too dangerous to send any kind of official delegation right now.
Rumors within. Again, all players are welcome to read all the rumors.
Alfonso::
A man named Harvin came into Riddleport laden down with gold. He was telling anyone who cared to listen that he had discovered the way to an ancient vault in the Emerald Chambers up north. He disappeared soon after, but word is spreading. The rumors have even reached Sandpoint. Everyone wants to talk about the Emerald Chambers outside Crying Leaf. Everyone wants to talk about the untold fortunes and danger within the Emerald Chambers, that testament to the long-dead emperor Xin.
There could be millions upon millions of gold coins at stake, and an untold fortune of magical artifacts, too.
Trig::
The caravaner who brought you the rest of the way into town after Shalelu rescued you, a fellow by the name of Makov Henricu, he spoke of paying high bribes to a gang of thieves. “A nevessary evil of tvading along vis voad” He said the gang was known as the Rushlights, and they have grown bold. They have begun raiding towns and villages in the past year.
”Somevimes I vonder, Vhat is vis vorld coming to?”
