Chapter One, Part One: Fires over Brinestump

[SteveRogers]

"Indeed.  News, brother, is what we desire.  But first a strong drink if you have any!" S'Vith booms.

[SpamHead]

"Now that we know that these... Faceless Stalkers exist I think we can be more careful, but if what you say is true there probably aren't many left in the swamp. If any. But I think we should first try to figure who would do best with that magic cloak"

While Horcrust isn't entirely comfortable sitting in a chair (he did live in the forest after all) he is just fine on the floor.

[TheTick]

Yes, not evil.

Walthus smiles and lifts a floorboard up, exposing a dusty bottle of ale.  "Saved this for a special occasion.  Seems appropriate."  He finds a few clean mugs and pours.  "Now, Faceless Stalkers.  Unnatural creatures, made by aboleths many years ago, or so they say.  Shapechangers, as you found out, used as spies above ground.  But their masters here are long dead, and their numbers had diminished due to inbreeding and other factors until I'd thought they were all gone.  *sigh*  Well, live and learn, with you to thank for the living part.  So what brings you to the marsh?"

[Porteiro]

In a kindly voice, Jed asks, in Halfling, "Are you sure that you're OK, that there's nothing else wrong?"

OOC:  Rolled 1d20+6 : 14 + 6, total 20

[TheTick]

Switching to the Halfling tongue, Walthus says, "Thanks, kind sir, but I'm much better now that you fine folks are here."

[Phil]

"Aboleth?  I had thought them to be mere legend.  If this creature was spawn of those aberrations, then one fewer of these abominations is for the good."  Sarenrae is a merciful goddess who seeks to reform all those who can be, but how does one reform an aberration? 

Owen then smiles a bit at the oddity of having to make his introduction twice.  "I am Owen Deverin, of Sandpoint, and we five are in this marsh to combat a threat to travelers along the Lost Coast Road.  This threat is the Licktoad Goblin tribe, and their leader 'Gutwad'.  We seek assistance in finding the tribe, if you are able to give it."

[TheTick]

"The Licktoads?  They've been causing trouble of late, that's true.  Not very smart, but you don't need smarts to cause trouble, do you?" He pulls out a map from a nearby shelf.  "Now if you see here, this is the Old Fish Trail, and it does indeed lead you straight to the Licktoad village.  If you want to clean them out, it'd be one more thorn out of my side.  You can sleep here tonight if you wish, and come back any time you need to while you're in the Brinestump!"

[Lotofsnow]

"Thank you, Walthus. We appreciate your willingness to aid us in our task and your offer of hospitality."

Looking at the corpse on the halfling's floor, Faraway adds:

"With your leave, I would destroy this corpse with fire. Such a disgusting creature deserves no burial and I would not have the good creatures of the swamp feed upon it abhorrent flesh."

ooc: ShowHide

Do the feet of the creature match the footprints we saw along the path?

[TheTick]

They do not match.  Mystery!

[SteveRogers]

With mug titled to mouth and sweet ale sloppily dripping into his beard, S'Vith mumbles an agreement with Faraway.  Lowering the mug and wiping his mouth, he stifles a belch and says, "Faraway, I will kindly lend my assistance in disposing of the fiend's body.  Best not to take chances with such matters."

Then he turns and winks at the halfling, "'Twas a mighty fine ale, my friend.  Before we leave, I don't suppose we could bother you for a loaf of bread and a wheel of cheese?  Should you have some to spare, of course.  We wouldn't want to put you out of your way."

[TheTick]

While Faraway and S'Vith burn the monstrous corpse, Walthus takes a moment to dig a small hole and put all of his dead pets in it.  He leans on the shovel for a moment in silent prayer, then fills the hole.

After, the halfling sets out some provisions for dinner - mostly pickled fish, but yes, some bread and cheese as well.

[SpamHead]

Horcrust loots the ashes, if possible while no one is looking.

[Phil]

"Walthus, on our trip here we encountered the tracks of some creature we had not encountered before.  Faraway here is something of a master of the wilds, so this is both interesting to us, and cause for some concern."

Owen draws the three toed foot in the dirt for the halfling to consider.

"Are these tracks you've seen before?  Is it something dangerous?"

[TheTick]

Walthus considers the drawing for a long time, before finally saying, "What you have here is the track of the Soggy River Monster!  Now, some of those fisherfolk will try and tell you it's just a myth, but I've seen it.  Can't tell what it is or where it came from, but it's real.  Pale as death, with legs that bend back like a dogs, and a jaw that splits two ways.  I stay away from it, being a solitary Halfling.  You fine fellows may be able to handle it.  There's been some that have not been so lucky."

[Porteiro]

Jed nods, politely listening.