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Autumn rains and sun provide an alternating pattern of hope and despair as a group of pathfinders travel on a small but comfortable sailing barge along the dark waters of the Sellen River. An easy journey, through the River Kingdoms, towards their destination, the small River Kingdom of Artume and the town that gave the kingdom it's name. Resting and surveying the banks and lands around the river, the group of pathfinders has time to get to know one another before their mission begins. Venture-Captain Holgrin Smine stays alone in his personal cabin, working on the details of the mission, leaving the pathfinders with time to enjoy the journey.
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Manny is strumming his lute as he walks on board and chats with the passengers and crew. The crew is too busy to give the time of day. Some of the passengers are quite chatty, and quite receptive to his tales of valor.
Once the crowds disperse and he gets some invites to later meetings, he turns to meet a small group of Pathfinders. "Sup Pathfinders! My name's Emmanuel Holysmith, but you can call me Manny." He offers his hand to shake. "Holgrin Smine sent me out here after Shimmerford. Said it was best I left the Doctor alone." he sighs. "She had a cute dog... But anyway, what brings you here? The Holysmith family strives to be heroic, and the Pathfinder Society knows how to set these up. Plus my muse is watching, somewhere..."
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A purple mushroom, with four stumpy protrusions reminiscent of two arms and two legs, appears from among the small crowd. He is wearing a furry cape, and a small attache case at his side. It is dangling proudly with what most would consider to be slightly shiny, but otherwise useless, junk.
The mushroom looks around the ship with something akin to bemusement as it thinks to himself. Ah, good. An excellent looking ship. Prime to return me home to the River Kingdoms. What more, a group of soon-to-be faithful servants are said to be on here. They spend the next several minutes pontificating to the collective crew and passengers alike. Until all find somewhere else to be, or something more important to do with their time. Like smashing their head into the nearest bit of wood.
Afterwards, the mushroom notices the human with a lute, reaching out his hand. I seem to have missed what he was saying... Hrmm, no matter. He is clearly offering me a place on his shoulders from which to ride. The mushroom reaches up and takes the proffered hand in a solid, albeit squishy, grip. "Well met young, erm, human. I seem to have missed your name. However, I am known as Liger the Umpteenth, Domina of Ligeran, Monarch of over 10,000 subjects. However, for simplicity's sake, you may simply refer to me as 'Your Eminence'." Liger smiles as she looks up at the man, clearly expecting something. Now, will he first raise me to my new place upon his shoulder? Or will he bow before me as befitting his station? I shall make a note of which, so as to reward him accordingly at the due time.
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"'Sup, Liger the Umpteenth. Domina of Ligeran. Ten thousand? Wow. Oh, sorry. Monarch of over 10,000 subjects. Your Eminence!" Manny performs a polite bow... and immediately workshops the name into a rousing song about meeting the most unexpected guests.
"What brings you here, Your Eminence? Or is it top secret royalty stuff? For the good of the kingdom and all?"
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A dark-haired woman leaning against the ship's rail lets out an amused snort at the exchange. She pushes herself off and steps forward to join the conversation. She nearly puts a gloved hand out in greeting, but instead decides to stand with her arms crossed.
She gives Liger a brief nod before fixing Emmanuel with her eyes. "I am Erryn, it is a pleasure to meet you both. Am I to understand they are still sending people out to try and track down that old legend?"
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"Umpteenth... umpteenth," a white furred goblin begins counting on his fingers. He's a little taller than the average goblin. Whatever number Umpteen was, it must have come after fourteen.
"I am Duvik, champion of the Bear Thnare Tribe," Duvik Nuuk of the Bear Snare Tribe pronounces. He wears a horned helmet and has a number of weapons on his back. "Pathfinder Thothiety needed help and thaid Duvik ith the betht and will thave this very important job. Duvik getth gold from Pathfinderth"
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Liger's mushroom-gills crinkle into a larger smile as Emmanuel speaks out his full title, and refers to her as 'Your Eminence'. Bowing back, Liger answers Emmnuel's question, "I was informed from the talking cabbage which calls itself 'Drandle Dreng' that there was a mission of utmost importance. One befitting of someone of my station. Further, that it takes place in a nearby kingdom to mine own in the River Kingdoms. Well, being the ever gracious god-king that I am. I accepted his plea for aid and have thus joined up on this grand venture. Besides, it will be good to swing by Ligeran on the way back, and see how my subjects are maintaining my kingdom in my absence. A good monarch should make sure his holdings are well maintained after all. If ever you need a new home. You would be most welcome in Ligeran. I could use such a talent as yours for a new herald."
Liger turns to observe Erryn as she introduces herself. A legend they say? Good. I am glad to know my notoriety grows appropriately. "No need to track further for the legend, for I stand before you now. Yes, yes, I know my glory is overwhelming, however I understand if you need a moment to compose yourself. It is not every day you find yourself in the presence of a God-king."
As Duvik speaks up Liger happily turns to face the newcomer, tipping his mushroom-cap imperiously. Enjoying speaking to someone else of similar height, "Well met Duvik, champion of the Bear Thnare Tribe. I declare a peaceful coexistence between our two lands. If ever your people seek shelter, they are welcome in Ligeran."
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The dwarf over by the deck railing closes the notebook she's been writing in and glances back at the others. Since introductions seem to be in order, the dwarf pulls off her gauntlet and shakes Emmanuel's hand.
"Birgid Sapphiresong, originally from Glimmerhold, though that hasn't been home for over a decade now." She gives the others a polite nod and quirks a smile at the leshy.
"I've not had the pleasure of passing through Ligeran, Your Eminence. Is it far from here?"
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Manny frowns a bit as Brigid mentions corruption at home. "I'd love to hear more about that... uh, maybe later. My family has a thing with undead corrupting homes. We don't like undead, and we don't like denying people a chance to redeem."
He grows somber for a bit before picking up his mood and changing subjects. "As for Smine, he's kind of secret when he needs to be. Pushed me right outside his cabin and told me to come back in a few days. Or was it hours? I forget."
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Liger turns and makes a dramatic show of looking over the edge of the boat railing, surveying the surroundings. Dang... If I'd known there would be such a crafty individual amongst these people, I would have studied a map... or at least asked for one. After several moments of pretending to get an idea of distance, It turns back to Birgid. Just as they are about to answer her question, Emannuel successfully distracts from the question. An excellent Herald indeed. I shall have to redouble my efforts to recruit them. Maybe I will offer them rewards above the standard ken... Perhaps some of my most prized food... yes, the ones with that tasty green mold should do nicely.
Returning her attention to those gathered, Liger is visibly surprised that Birgid and Erryn know each-other. "Oh my word. The two of you have met before? This sounds like quite the interesting tale. Perhaps I may convince you to share it. Once we have an appropriate moment of course." Liger then looks in the direction Birgid pointed. "I presume you speak of the Venture Captain. Holgern... Holgard... Holgreen... Hol-some-such What-not... I am afraid I did not get much of a description from them before they boarded... The Cabbage did inform me, however, that this Venture Captain are, apparently, a man... I am not exactly certain what that means, mind you. Nor how to tell the difference..." Liger appears to be completely honest in its statement that he has no concept of what gender is at all.
After Emmanuel mentions the uncertainty with time, Liger looks over at him. A hearald with poor sense of time?... Perhaps a watch instead.
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"Thup? Thup? You are offering thupper? Give Duvik food now, yeth, much much food pleathe, yeth." Duvik extends his arms and makes grabbing motions at Emmanuel.
Duvik looks suspiciously at the Leshy. "Why would Bear Thnare tribe need shelter? Trying to threaten Duvik and Duvik'th tribe?" As a goblin from the harsh Lands of the Linnorm Kings, the idea of peaceful coexistence was strange and familiar. Anyone sprouting words of peace at the beginning had to be looking for some advantage later on.
Duvik makes sure to keep a wide berth from the dwarf until he is convinced that she can be... what is the word? Not hit or hurt Duvik. Trusted! That's it. Until he is convinced that can be trusted
"Holgrin, Holgrin Thmine!" Duvik shrieks in a sing-song voice, bouncing up and down and around, "Duvik remember, Duvik has big brain!"
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Liger is temporarily taken aback by the gruff response it got from Duvik. How odd... To take such offense to an offer of peace... Wait... he seems to want food... Perhaps he suffers from this malady I have heard of called 'hanger' He reaches into his attache and pulls out a crudely wrapped lump. Peeling back the layers of paper. A putrid stench fills the air as he reveals a trail ration long since expired and completely crusted in white, fuzzy, mold. "Here, oh mighty champion Duvik. I offer you to share in my food. So that we may better become aquainted." She breaks the lump in half, and offers half the moldy trail ration to Duvik.
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"Is food-time already!?"
A head of a goblin appears in a doorway of a nearby cabin, the big ears directed toward the food-talk.
Rest of the body quickly follows, and the whole goblin scuttles towards the others - or what he perceives as the food queue.
"You waiter?" he says, addressing Liger. "Me think your food no good. Me eat food with same white hair growing in it - make me see funny colors for many nights." he continues and leans closer to the trail ration to confirm its moldy nature.
Then almost as an afterthought, he adds: "Aah, yees, me.. Me is Zug - bestest music-maker in Pathfinder Society. Nice to meet you!"
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"Zug! I'm Emmanuel Holysmith- call me Manny! High five!" Manny reaches out his hand... and then kneels so he still has to extend it upwards. What's your favorite style? I love tellin' stories, but everyone loves my lute!"
"Most of the times I meet goblins and they wanna chop my legs off. So it's rare that I get to meet cool peeps like you and Duvik."
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"Hi Manny, High five!" Zug raises his hand and leaps up so he can reach Manny's. He had already learned that people rarely try to slap him in the face after saying those word, so that is actually quite nice habit among humans.
"Me play cowbell! Bestest cowbell player in all Absalom! Me make great song for Fola Barun, and she like it so much so send me on 'first ship out' as reward!" Zug explains eagerly, and keeps on high-fiving Manny.
"And me very sorry for other goblins - but not all goblins alike. Me very nice! And here also goblin!" - Zug points at Duvik - "He no chop legs, too."
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"W-what?! A waiter?! And suggesting my food is not worthy?! Why, I have never!" Liger is so shocked by the suggestion it drops the half of rotten trail-ration it was offering to Duvik. I shall have to remember that. Zug he said was his name. Turning to provide a more proper retort, he then hears the interaction between Zug and Emmanuel. Hrmmm... he seems an odd sort. And the other goblin also acted aggressive to me... hrmmm... Ah, discussing cutting off legs from the get-go. Yes. Clearly goblins are an aggressive race and must be treated in kind to earn their respect.
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Duvik happily eats the rotten trail-ration, regardless of hitting the deck of the boat or its condition. This is the goblin way. Liger's rations could use a little more salt, but still good.
"I chop legth if I want to. If you want legth chopped off, just ask. Duvik just buy new thythe. Any legth really."
"Good food, Umpteenth," Duvik says, as he picks a little bit of mold off his teeth.
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The ship slides into dock as crews of gnome engineers operate hoists protruding from the cliffside overlooking the river. Large bundles of goods glide through the air at the end of sturdy ropes, down to ships at the docks and up to vaulted openings in the cliffside. Above the cliff, the white walls and towers of a keep reflect the morning sun.
The ship sways gently in its berth as sailors ready a gangplank and throw ropes to dockhands. Not long after the plank slams against the dock, a dwarven man strides up from below deck, dressed in a white shirt and a black vest. This is none other than Venture-Captain Holgarin Smine. He blinks his eyes, emerging as he does from several days holed up in his cabin. He crosses the deck towards a strange group of friends, humans as well as goblins and an unusual mushroom man. He looks them over, a goblin picking his teeth, a mushroom hunched over the floor, another goblin jumping up and down, trying to get something from a human's hand. At least there's a dwarf, should get them all into shape. To the side, and very quiet is a female human, seemingly a companion of the dwarf lady. Pathfinders all here then. Nuuk, Liger, Cowbell, Holysmith, Sapphiresong and Canmore, all present and correct, let's start then.
As he crosses his arms, toned by decades of hard work, he nods towards the town that spreads on the slopes around the keep, “Bet you’re eager to get on your way. The Society needs you to find an old lodge. I hear it’s northeast of the town. Learn any details you can about Kerinha Napsunar and report back to me." He pauses to think a moment, rubbing his chin with a strong hand. "Also. Lot’s changed with the new king and all. People don’t always like change. I’d like to know if there’s trouble brewing. I’ll be conducting some business in town. You can contact me at the River Steed Inn.” Smine points to a fancy three-story building that stands above the cliffside a bit south of the keep, “So that’s two missions: find the lodge and keep your ears open. Any questions?”
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"Yo, Venture-Captain! Good to see ya again. Hopefully there are fewer bugs!" Manny waves hello to the captain and goes for the handshake. He's still as stubborn as ever. "Alright, alright, what's the mission?"
Manny nods. "Sweet, so there's a lodge. Is Kerinha Napsunar the keeper of that lodge, or...?" Manny shrugs. "It's never THAT easy, is it?"
Manny thinks about what he knows about Artune.
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Uh-oh... Liger seems to be upset about something Zug said. "Oh, no! Me say something bad? Me mean no bad. Not waiter? Waitress, maybe then? Me very sorry, hard to tell if mushroom people boy or girl - no boob, no.. ahem.." Zug waves his finger towards Liger's nether regions. Perhaps somewhere deep within the goblin's brain there is a thought that perhaps plant/fungi-people do not have quite the same gender bipolarity as goblins do. But that thought fails to connect. "And me mean the food must be very good - three week ago. Oh, and Duvik like it, too!" Zug is a polite goblin, and he doesn't like to upset people. Perhaps this discussion could have gone better, but no pitchforks have been raised yet, so it could have gone worse, too.
Luckily Venture-Captain Smine's entrance provides an interruption, and directs the conversation towards the new mission.
"Hello Venture-Captain! Thank you for mission! Sound easy! Me have very big ears, easy to keep open. Me hear lodge many miles away! And Kerinha Napsunar, too. Yes, Napsunar, yes... Me know everything.. Is right there, tip of tongue.." Zug starts rubbing his head furiously, in hopes Kerinha's name would pop up in his brain somehow faster.
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Smine looks up at Manny, his eyes squint, "Yes, look familiar." he says not really interested, although quite thoughtful. Before he is suddenly assaulted by Zug's incessant chatterings. "Yes, yes alright, but do you have any real questions?" He looks at the floor, and starts to chatter and mumble to himself, "Newbie's enthusiastic, must mention in report, but really are they any good!" At last he looks up, takes a deep breath, composing himself he asks as he shrugs his shoulders "Anything else?"
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Liger pops the remaining half of field ration into his maw before turning to listen to Smine. Meh, an old lodge long since forgotten. Who cares... However, a new king, eh? Sounds interesting. I would love to meet him and share rulership tips. She is too caught up in his own schemes to hear where Smine will be staying.
Liger notices Zug thanking the venture-captain and quickly follows suite, bowing deeply so as to not be over-shadowed. "Indeed. You are most gracious with your time. We hope to provide you with all that you may require in these endeavors." And provide myself with even more. "Also. May you provide any further details on this Karin-... Kreena-... Kaer-whats-her-name-ah person? So that we might be of better use."
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Erryn listens closely to the briefing, but is caught off guard by its abrupt ending. A man of few words, apparently.
When she is able to find room in the flood of questions, she chimes in with one of her own. "Are there any leads, people we should start with? From whom have you heard clues regarding the lodge's location?"
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During your travels through the River Kingdoms, on your trip to Shimmerford you learned of The Six River Freedoms
This is the freedom of speech (and not to be confused with freedom from the consequences of your words). Criticism of government is common in the kingdoms, and lords of the kingdoms who are lenient with loose tongues are likely to live longer.
Making an oath is a huge deal for the people of the River Kingdom (where trust is hard to come by and earned in blood), and this freedom grants the people of the kingdoms leave to persecute anyone that breaks an oath. Riverfolk who take on oaths usually keep them or die trying.
This freedom prevents lords of the River Kingdoms from blocking travel over land and water, including charging tolls for passage. In particular, this means that no lord may own the mighty Sellen River, although it also means that every river barge is its own kingdom with its captain being the king.
One of the most basic freedoms of the River Kingdoms, this one holds that all laws within a River Kingdom are flexible, and that rulers of a kingdom may do as they wish. Visitors to a river kingdom —be they king or commoner—are bound by the (often arbitrary) laws of that kingdom.
People who escape slavery are an important fact of life in the River Kingdoms. A formerly enslaved person who escapes to the River Kingdoms is considered truly free.
This freedom draws the moral distinction between burglary and robbery. Burglary, or the taking of another’s property without their knowledge, is considered offensive and is punishable under common law, as it robs the victim of the ability to defend him or herself. In the River Kingdoms, it is more preferable to face your robber and be allowed the opportunity to resist. It is acceptable to take what you want by force.
You remember a song, 'The Blood and the Child', that pretty much relates to the small kingdom of Artume, as it includes the story of the old king, Drellis Artume, who was assassinated two decades ago. Sir Waike, a crusader was made the regent. Waike tried to kill Queen Sovella. She was pregnant at the time. She fled to a Milanite monastery called Everbloom. Waike was a slag heap of a regent, so eventually the populace rebelled with the support of the monks of Milani. Edryd, son of Drellis and Sovella, was of age. I think he’s King Edryd now.
In his early days when he was an apprentice in the Pathfinder's Society, Liger spent many hours reading as much history of the Society as he could. It was in one of the recent tomes that he read about Kerinha Napsunar. He read she was part of the Society some three-hundred or four-hundred years ago. One of Durvin Gest’s peers. The notes in the tome, added by Gartd Herron, a pathfinder agent, recently added that he had found out about her early exploits, the note dated only a few months ago. She was politically savvy and willing to risk a lot for historical artifacts. For one, she established a smuggling ring in Rahadoum to save religious relics. She went to the region now known as Artume, where she founded a Pathfinder lodge.
As Liger first ventured out from his kingdom, he heard rumours of rebellion against the Kings and Nobles of the River Kingdoms. It seems that because of the hatred of the nobles, rebellions are basically a popular pastime for the populace. Liger knew it was imperative he found friends in the Pathfinder Society to maintain his own kingdom and reduce the risk of rebellion.
When you eventually start to make you way into town from the docks area, you ask around various people about a derelict village to the north-east. Eventually a scruffy-looking, lanky hunter scratches her head and gives directions to a ruined village. You mark down her directions as she tells you to head out north first, until the second milestone, then turn east into the bogs, following a small trail.
One further thing you observe whilst in Artume, is that that the atmosphere appears lively and there doesn’t seem to be widespread resentment toward the new king, and many seem to be optimistic about Edryd’s rule.
Smine's eyes roll as questions come tumbling out of the group, "New Kings come and go, each kingdom has it's own nobles, King Edryd is king now, cos the regent's gone, good riddance to." he adds under his breath. "Just so trade is good, it's what I care about. An as for the Lodge, like I said, northeast from town. Near an abandoned village. You're pathfinder's now, not wet behind the ears boys and girls, initiative, use your initiative." He then turns his eyes to Birgid, "I expected better from you, didn't you study the Society in it's early days. She was one of Durvin Gest's peers, an early Pathfinder, of course she was a member, otherwise why would she come here and found a Pathfinder lodge. It's the last the Society can trace of her exploits, after that, it’s your job to find out. Add that to your list of mission objectives, find the lodge and any further information on Kerinha Napsunar and keep your ears open. Report back to me at the River Steed Inn when you have something useful to report. If you need your school's consumables, I have them here. Now get on with it." The dwarf looks over you each in turn, shrugs and marches from the barge towards town and the River Steed Inn. You are now free to decide your fortune.
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"Thanks Captain!" Manny flashes a thumbs up and turns to his friends. "The River Kingdoms. They are held together by six major tenets, the Six River Freedoms..."
Manny strums his lute and begins to recite the freedoms in beat.
It's really hard to fit it in without going offbeat or weird inflections. Sounds pretty terrible, honestly.
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"Ah, yes... I now remember reading about Kerinha... Made herself a lodge up hereabouts... then disappeared... Some three or four hundred years hence... I wonder if she is still around?... Anyway." Liger collects the two scrolls of Heal he had asked for the Society to put aside, from Smine, then proceeds to walks towards town. "I do believe that we should have a place to meet up after we do some initial forays into the quality of life, and similar information, that can be found around town..." Liger stops for a moment at the base of the dock ramp, then turns back to the group. "As a native to the River Kingdoms, I must insist you all take appropriate cautions. Rebellions are quite common when the mood strikes the common folk. So try and stay out of trouble... I recommend meeting back here at these docks in, say, an hour. So that we can share what we have learned, and perhaps determine a course of action." She then turns and marches off into town without waiting for a response, to gather information. Clearly certain everyone else will agree to his great thinking.
Having learned a great deal about the common folk, Liger returns to the boat dock approximately an hour later, and proceeds to look for the others to share in their gathered knowledge. Most impressive this king... I really MUST have a word with him.
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Zug scratches his head, deep in thought. Suddenly, a his face lights up in revelation.
"Now remember, there song of kingdom of Artume. It go like this.."
And the goblin begins singing, able to catch almost humanlike sound to his voice.
"Old King Drellis,
his hair jet black.
On a beautiful morning,
took a knife in his back.
To the empty throne,
rose Sir Waike alone,
But as a regent he was...
quite an a***hole!
Dum.. dum.. dam..
Queen took flight..
something, something,
Kingdom in Plight..
(sorry long time me hear this song, no remember well)
(now comes good part!)"
Zug starts headbanging vigorously, changes his voice to low-pitched screech, and hammers his fist up.
"Milanese monks,
bad-ass punks!
Took the streets!
Took the streets!
Rebellion!
Rebellion!"
The goblin continues singing the last part for quite many times, until he runs out of breath.
"Hehe, 'Rebellion!' Me likes this part. The song continue, but me no remember words. Me think it say new king is son of old king and Queen Sovella."
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Advanced: Devil’s Keep; Once per adventure, you can use the following reaction.
Infernal Detonations [reaction] Trigger A creature within 30 feet of you targets you or an ally with an attack; Effect The creature takes fire damage equal to 1d6 + your level (basic Reflex save). The DC of the Reflex save is equal to your spell DC or your class DC, whichever is higher.
While waiting for the more social types to work their magic, Erryn double-checks the contents of her pack (including her requested scrolls of heal and fear). Upon their return, she listens attentively, cracks a genuine smile through the musical accompaniments, and finishes her final preparations. "This place has quite a different culture than I'm used to, I'm looking forward to seeing more of it."
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Birgid continues taking notes in her notebook, but shakes her head Erryn's optimism. "It's the absolute bare minimum needed to have a society. The River Kingdoms are a huge neverending mess, and the people here apparently prefer it that way." She bookmarks her page and tucks the notebook away, checking over her gear for the dozenth time.
"Be that as it may, the job is before us, best to get to it. I hope Their Majesty returns soon, finding the old lodge seems like a good place to start."
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Walking down the planks to the dockside you join other new arrivals travelling up the steep stoney road further into the town of Artume. Along the sides of the road, small stone shops housing merchants selling a variety of goods. furs, linens and fabrics, grain and spices all are seen draped outside or displayed openly in sacks. You continue to the main square, where there are stalls displaying vegetables and fruit of all different colours, green cabbages, orange carrots, red beetroots and dirty brown potatoes are all part of the vibrant market. The town is alive and full of life, as the sun starts to shine weakly in the grey skies. A typical overcast day on the Sellen.
Returning an hour or so later, meeting up at the dockside, you have enough information to find the old pathfinder lodge, you leave the town and start the journey north, before making your way east. Rolling plains stretch to the horizon outside Artume’s walls. The road leads north alongside the Sellen River. Smaller paths and side roads branch off towards the eastern plains, where mounted riders herd livestock across the grasslands. Beyond the grassy hills opens up a gloomy valley, where a snaking river flows sluggishly toward the Sellen. Over the centuries, the river has turned the valley into marshland. It is along this valley that your journey leaves the main thoroughfare, as you head out into marshland. You feet sink inches into the lush green vegetation, that squeezes out a dirty bracken water over your boots. The way seems without any landmarks, it will take excellent navigational skills to find the ruined village. The sun does nothing to warm your bones as it rises high above you, the only brightness comes from Zug's songs and Manny's harmonies to keep your spirits high. Birgid marches on with Erryn, as they rely on Erryn's guidance through her deity's understanding of the ley lines and the waterways. Liger seems to smile, with the way nature is providing such a luscious loam for vegetation to grow strong.
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"I wish humans would stop building in marshes. Or at least stop losing whatever they build in the marshes and then asking me to help find it again." Birgid's tone is light despite the complaint, and she marches along steadily without any further fuss. She keeps alert for signs of danger and tries not to think about the Mosquito Witch from her last time in the field.
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You start your walk through the bog, that quickly turns into more swamp-like conditions. Erryn does her best to navigate through the mud and waters. You quickly start to move to single file, stepping into the footsteps of the one in front, as the ground underfoot becomes more treacherous. Progress is slow, as Erryn searches for a stable path, but you seem to meander across the swamp, the afternoon passes and still no sign of a ruined village or the derelict Pathfinder Lodge.
Even with Manny and Zug's encouragement, singing songs and telling tales of brave adventurers, your steps seem to be smaller, slipping and sliding on mud, your boots struggle to keep the water out from your feet. Then as dusk is falling you see in the distance the outlines of buildings, dark silhouettes on the horizon, though still some way off. Despite your efforts as you pick a path through the mud, darkness descends as the clouds snub out the last of the grey light of the day. You still have a half a mile or so until you reach the first of the buildings, you tramp forward in single file....
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Liger happily tramps along with the others, enjoying the feeling of muddy water along her foot stumps. As the light begins to fade, he notices the group moving slower by the minute, before finally coming to the point they must stop and make a decision. "I do not mind traipsing further in the dark. For light is a luxury not commonly embraced in Ligeran. If you are worried about what may lay ahead, I mind not taking the lead and scouting in the darkness... However, should you truly need to rest and make camp, I will not argue against it. So long as my place of rest is positioned properly on a point of appropriate stature for my rank."