"I apologize for offending" Crisk bows to the greyscales. To the greener Naga "I normally agitate easily in an unknown situation so I was direct to our purpose, we seek additional information about the area, nearby towns, modes of travel etc.. We would be most apprecitive of any assistance you can offer. Has the city come of trouble of late, it appears that some destruction has befallen this place?"
The younger (though still probably close to middle aged) Naga points vaguely towards the coast line as he speaks.
“There are 3 roads to Lugh, the high, middle, and low. The high road cuts inland and stays dry above the marsh, but takes 2 days to reach Lugh. The Middle road is fastest, especially during dry season, but it is haunted by phii, who lead travelers astray into the bogs. The Low road follows the coast through the Shallows, but is inhabited by monkey demons that steal and harry travelers, though they rarely cause serious harm. Your people will be best served to take the high road, but you may wish to take the other routes, since they are faster for a smaller group. I, Rana, have traveled these roads , and know this information to be true.”
He then looks carefully around him, as though about to share a secret. “And yes, we have been raided, but I do not believe it is by farang, outsiders. The Lord of these lands is not a friend to the South. But I dare not speak more on that.” Rana then moves quickly away, back to his work repairing burned ships.
Looks at the little well traveled halfling, "Any idea what a phii is? What are your thoughts, I really do not fancy a dip into a swamp, and getting my stuff stolen resonates strongly with me."
"I'm not all for tracking through a bog either and we are looking for bandits so not sure they would want to live there... although that might be the perfect place as most people will avoid it..."
"Well, I think we can rule out the high road, although that is the way any large force would likely take. The bog shouldn't be a problem, except for the phii, of course, but the coast might be the best route if it doesn't present any delay."
@ Vyk
@ Ash
"Phii are ghosts or apparitions, no idea what the monkeys could be. I would agree that the army would go the high road and it may where we are supposed to check. The other roads would be much faster."
"Mid or Coast sounds good to me, the raiders may use the coastal waterways and highway. I would agree with the coast, I do not want to deal with spirits if I can help it."
"Based on our directives I can see 2 areas of interest, the coast as we are supposed to work our way up and down the coast securing billets and looking for raider activity. As they are mostly sea going that is our best bet as far as that is concerned. The other having a network that our troops can move from one village to another meaning the high ride most likely due to the size of the force. Why not do both... we can go up the coast to the next town then come back to this town by way of the high road and give our report, that should be no more than 4 days."
"That is a good suggestion, and will accomplish our objective as quickly as possible."
"The coastal road it is! I love a walk on a beach too."
"Waddya think, Raj? Wanna see some monkey demons?"
O_o
The villagers point you all to a point near the northern end of the village where the clearing ends and tall, dry grasses start. Another greenscale explains as he leads you to the trail head “The low road runs through there, mostly along the coast, but it stays in the grasses and marshes for the most part. Be careful, there is quicksand, and the monkey demons are crafty. Sometimes the path splits, so be wary, and keep to the right path.“
The path appears to be 10-15’ wide at this end, but it is unlikely that it stays that way the whole route. It will be tight quarters, and close since the grass obscures vision beyond about 3-4 feet off the trail.
Ja perception check
Crisk perception check
"I love adventure!", she says as she steps into formation.
"I'm happy to take point," Ash volunteers. "I'd feel too blind anywhere else."
"Tsch tsch. C'mon, Raj, up you go."
"Jyx and I can make sure no one is following us." Balam walks to the end of the group and motions for Jyx to sweep out to the flank.
Jyx slinks off trying to see what "prey" are out and about.
Dram shimmers and appears to grow taller and his cloths melds into heavy armor. Dram pulls his new helmet down a little bit and tells everyone. "Ready when you are."
Ash checks his armor, adjusts his sword belt, stretches, licks a finger and holds it above his head, throws some grass into the air, squints at the sun, looks around . . . and pulls a compass from his backpack.
After the confused look on Ash's face, Dram tries to get his baring and offers suggestions to Ash. "Maybe we can find some tracks to follow."
Dram remembers the warning about quicksand and offers Ash his 10 ft pole to test the ground in front of him, if he chooses to borrow it.
The first couple hours of the trip pass uneventfully, with the occasional switch back or wrong trail. About mid afternoon, as the sun blazes high over head, a light breeze ruffles the grass, filling the air with a whispering sound. The trail descends into a small valley, barely a wrinkle in the earth.
Ash, seemingly distracted by all the adjusting of gear he is doing, trips over a concealed string and lands face first in a puddle of quicksand!!! Dry sand had been spread over its surface to disguise it, and along with the string, it seems apparent, this is a trap of some sort!!!!
Around you, the birds and other animals fall suspiciously silent....
@ Dram
Oh, wait, looks like i still did :)
Dram looks around scanning the high grass to see if he can spot anyone watching or if this was an old trap
Crisk casts Mage Armor on himself
Ash tries to remain calm, as he knows is the key with quicksand, and carefully tries to extricate himself from it while looking for help from his friends.
Raj scrambles up the nearest try, where he jumps up & down in obvious panic.
readies her bow and looks for trouble
Dram scans the area and extends a helping 10' pole to Ash, who is trying to avoid sinking further.Vykral scans the area, but has a hard time hearing over Crisk's casting of Mage Armor.
@ Vyk
@ Ash-
Vykral begins a story of a small band of fighters overtaking a bigger force. "out of the grass they came ready to eat, but the party could not be beat"
Initiative
Ja
Balam Init
MOnkey Demons
Note: Critters go on their masters order, they don;t get their own initiative
The tall grasses around the party seem to spring to life as a pack of small furry creatures leap from hiding!!!!!! Adorned with feathers and bones, brightly colored pigments staining dun colored fur, some blow on long horns, the raspy, blurbling toots adding to the cacophony of the attack. Drums begin beating, beyond where the party can see. How many are there? What are they? What do they want?!?!?!
Crisk, your turn :)
Crisk says to the monkey demon #7 "I wish you grave misfortune"
Crisk hexes the demon with Misfortune.
Monkey Demons needs to make a will save against dc 16.