Resmae swallows hard and hangs on to Sammy, more for emotional support than fear of falling off. She keeps stealing glances back to the harengon with the black hat, not knowing why she had the creeping feeling about her that she did. Along the way, she finally turns to her, "Do I know you? You seem familiar."
Balliol boards the skiff with a crossbow aimed at him. He didn't like the situation but there wasn't much to do about it. Probably most people that dealt with brigands didn't like the situation they found themselves in. That was just the nature of brigands. They tended to the mean side, which certainly seemed true for the incredibly tall one aiming a bolt at him. He wasn't used to being short. Well, he thought with a bit of a sniff, I'm just a teenager still, I haven't had my growth spurt!
Fully aware that he was being stupid due to the stress, Bugs breathed slowly and carefully surveyed the swamp around them. He let the others worry about where they were going. (If I'm getting the colors right . . .) The Muddiest Brigand in Prismeer was in the skiff in front of him and Bugs kept an eye on Lil' Muddy. If an order for something nasty came, it would likely come from him. Eyes and ears open he also tried to see if anything else moved out there.
You resign to your situation and join the brigands aboard their boats, now floating alongside the boardwalk.
Chapley, you step aboard where two brigands, one with a trembling crossbow aimed toward you, and the other skittishly glares at you in a failed attempt to seem menacing. You gently rest the unconscious Aros down on the floor of the skiff. You stand tall, intimidating them more. They timidly usher you to the front of the boat.
Halei and Wildred, you board to a similar scene, a pointed crossbow and a brigand with a club. Less menacing but arguably less dangerous.
Balliol, you find yourself alone on a boat under the pointed crossbow of an exceptionally mean-looking brigand. You being the taller of your race, have seldom seen a harengon taller than yourself outside of Bugglesworth Downs. Today is the exception.
Resmae, you ride atop Sammy as he bounds onto the skiff nearest. With the black-hatted bandit. There is history there, but you can't quite grasp it. Also, a crossbow, too close for comfort, holding aim at you.
The now less cocky Adgon orders the skiffs to follow as he leads you, hopefully to Lorna.
The boats head off in single file into the darkness of the swamp. You appear to be heading towards the stump, as far as you can tell. The swamp waters are deeper here, and there are no longer any causeways around. If you jump, you will end up in the drink.
Wildred looks down the barrel of the crossbow with a forced smile hands in the air and then again at the brigand with the club.
"Why hello"he manages trying to hide his obvious jitters
"My name is Wildred and this is my friend Halei, what a lovely skiff you have here" he shuffles awkwardly.
"I don't suppose you mind dreadfully lowering the crossbow, you know all it takes is a small judder of the skiff and that bolt could easily loose itself, I've often wondered why they aren't made with a safety mechanism installed a sort of catch you know to stop the accidental release of bolts!!it does happen you know I've read many reports of crossbows firing when there user didn't mean for it, many fatalities have occurred"
He looks at the crossbow and manages another awkward smile and an awkward chuckle. Then looks back up at the brigand holding the crossbow.
"Then again I'm sure you have it all under control?"
"Sooo..." Halei begins after Wildred's introduction. "What do you guys do around here? Is there something you want, or are looking for in specific?" She offers a small smile, hoping she doesn't look as anxious as she feels. She scooches just a little closer to the brigands so they can talk more easily, but slowly in case her movement spooks them.
Chapley looks at the crossbow-wielding harengon standing on the back of his skiff, confusion evident on his face. He looks down at the scant distance between him and what could hardly be called more than a small woodland creature in his eyes. He gets a look of deep concentration like he is trying to do mental math. The concentration turns to frustration as he struggles to find an answer to the question in his head. Then his confusion seems to make him angry.
Then the tension disappears from his brow as a friendly smile spreads wide across his face, tusked teeth showing prominently. "Haha, I get it now. It's a joke, right?"He nods at the crossbow. "I thought you were serious for a moment there, pointing that thing my way, but I thought 'there's no way this rabbit is that stupid, since I'm pretty sure they could hit me in the neck from behind with that little crossbow and I'd still have time to take the two steps I'd need to cross this boat, rip them in half, and then use their friend to make a rabbit sandwich before they had a chance to load a second bolt, ' But I now get that this is just some friendly ribbing." His ensuing chuckle is genuine as he turns his back and folds his arms, completely unconcerned.
The skiffs head off in single file into the deeper swamp waters, each gaining distance as you travel. It is dark and foggy enough that you can't see the leading or following boat. The sounds of insects flitter all around. The bump of an oar against a skiff. The occasional far-off splash in the swamp waters. And the gentle whistle of the wind as it passes through the leaves of the mangrove trees. You can hear the murmurs of some conversation from the other boats, but it is too far off to make out.
As your captors (?) continue guiding their boats through the dark swampy waters, the sound of a solo lute begins. The beautiful music fills the air, accompanying the ambience of the swamp and lifting the mood of all folk attached to the ears it graces.
Bugs listens as Halei's lute fills the air with music. He smiled. The bard was not only talented but smart.
He badly wanted to take out the brigands and give them a good thumpin' but it just didn't make sense. The skiff were taking them somewhere and they needed to go somewhere. If they could get Aros to help, then his desire for some payback would have to wait. So he ignored the crossbow next to him and watched the swamp around him. But he remained ready for action.
After some time, the darkness under the mangroves and the thick fog thins a little as the skiffs enter a lake, surrounded by a settlement consisting of a collection of wooden outbuildings and ruins surrounding a monstrous cottage protruding up in the centre.
A call is heard from the bank in front, "Welcome to Downfall!"
As the boats stop at a wooden peer next to a big, floating balloon (similar to the fallen balloon you found Sir Talavar in).
The brigands are greeted with open arms by four bullywugs aboard the peer. There is some conversation between Adgon and the bullywugs that you cannot understand before you are welcomed onboard the peer.
The brigands release you onto the peer from each boat, one by one.
Please see the map of Downfall on the champaign page or here. You entered via the large opening to the east of the lake and travelled across the lake to the twin peers next to the floating balloon on the western side of the lake.
As Wildred exits the skiff he thanks the brigands and gives them a smile as he notices the banter in a different language he casts comprehend language hiding behind his companions so as to stealthily cast without being noticed wanting to find out and get an insight at what was being said.
When the bandits arrived in Downfall they seemed to simply drop the group off on the peer. Bugs ignored the one with the crossbow and asked the other bandit guard a question or three. "Is ol' Muddy just dropping us off then? Do you know where we would find help for our friend? You seem like you know the place, but I'm new to this particular piece of boardwalk. A first time sightseer. Where could a rabbit get some good carrot cider around here?"
Wildred pipes up he didn't want to see his friend aimlessly asking questions and thought what harm can it do in telling the group what hed over heard " I believe we are to be given over to the one and only Bavlorna Blightstraw, hard to imagine we will be esteemed guests, but first I believe we are to see a King Gullop if I'm not mistaken my dear friends!" Wildred sighed and then continued... "well I believe there's nothing else to it, we are here now suppose we best continue on not like we ever had much choice in the matter..I hope Aros will be ok?"he said as he looked over to see her condition.
Sammy jumps from the skiff with Resmae on his back as soon as the dock is near enough for it to be an easy jump. As soon as Resmae sees her friends, she breathes a sigh of relief, she was really starting to get worried. But as she looks around, she finds a bit of delight in her surroundings.
As Wildred mentions Bavlorna, she pipes up, "Yes! The black hatted thief said the same thing! That they were taking us to her. Do you think there is a connection between her and Lorna?"
The four friendly bullywugs greet you as you board the peer. To your right, as you board the southernmost peer, is a more extended peer where two more bullywug are tending to the floating balloon. One, tools in hand, up a ladder, while the other steadies it. Nearby are three giant frogs peering around with their giant bulging eyes. Occasionally one of the frogs launches its tongue at a nearby creature with a "Squak!" as its rolled up, prey-laden tongue, recoils back into its mouth.
One of the bullywugs steps forward to welcome the group. "Welcome to Downfall."
Barely had the words come from his mouth when Balliol hit him with a barrage of questions. "Is ol' Muddy just dropping us off then? Do you know where we would find help for our friend? You seem like you know the place, but I'm new to this particular piece of boardwalk. A first-time sightseer. Where could a rabbit get some good carrot cider around here?"
The bullywug steps back a little, holds his hands up in front of himself and nervously laughs. "Ha ha ha! You have a lot of questions there, friend. Let's see..." he pauses to ponder the outburst. "The harengon' said you asked to see Bavlorna? To help someone?" he looks at Chapley carrying the unconscious Aros in his arms. Looking concerned, he points behind, "Please make your way across the stepping stones, through the balloon factory, and across the bridge to the gazebo where King Cullop holds court. If you wish to meet with Bavlorna, you must first speak with the King. He will be honoured to make your acquaintance."
Halei squeaks at the sight of the giant frogs and their giant eyeballs. Frogs always kind of freaked her out a little.
When the bullywug finishes speaking, Halei makes her way to where he points, momentarily forgetting the brigands still present with their scary crossbows and bats. She was worried about Aros, there was no time to waste, and she could only hope they would be able to find help for her new friend.
Resmae takes in their new surroundings and looks with wide eyes at the giant talking frogs. After the one who seems to be the leader finishes, she asks, almost timidly, "Where can we find Lorna?"
Resmae takes in their new surroundings and looks with wide eyes at the giant talking frogs. After the one who seems to be the leader finishes, she asks, almost timidly, "Where can we find Lorna?"
“Hmmm. You should probably see the king.” is the reply from one of the bullywugs in front of you.
Looming above a ramshackle wooden pier is a balloon anchored by four thick ropes tied around wooden posts driven deep into the mire. The balloon’s bladder expands and sags at irregular intervals as swamp gas fills it briefly before leaking out through various tears in its patchwork fabric. A bullywug stands near the top of a ladders and is using a long silver needle and a spool of catgut to sew up one of the openings. A second bullywug stands at the foot of the ladder to steady it. Huddled nearby are three giant frogs whose long tongues snap up passing insects.
The bullywug repeats his request... "Please make your way across the stepping stones, through the balloon factory, and across the bridge to the gazebo where King Cullop holds court." encouraging you toward the planks that lead to the stepping stones.
The Stepping Stones
A row of boulders spaced two feet apart breach the surface of the lake to form a walking path across a forty-foot-wide waterway.
Bugs thanks the Bullywug for his help and moves across the stepping stones. He is tempted to just rabbit leap all the way across but it seems like it might be rude - and quite a jump. So he steps out onto the stones and moves across. He steps on each stone except for the smallest - #5. He can't help but look around as he carefully moves across the stones. Wasn't Bavlorna the one that could make little copies of herself? He looked around for little toadlike copies of the hag. They would be somewhat like the bullywugs but he'd know the difference, wouldn't he? He'd seen one of her at the carnival after all.
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Resmae swallows hard and hangs on to Sammy, more for emotional support than fear of falling off. She keeps stealing glances back to the harengon with the black hat, not knowing why she had the creeping feeling about her that she did. Along the way, she finally turns to her, "Do I know you? You seem familiar."
Balliol boards the skiff with a crossbow aimed at him. He didn't like the situation but there wasn't much to do about it. Probably most people that dealt with brigands didn't like the situation they found themselves in. That was just the nature of brigands. They tended to the mean side, which certainly seemed true for the incredibly tall one aiming a bolt at him. He wasn't used to being short. Well, he thought with a bit of a sniff, I'm just a teenager still, I haven't had my growth spurt!
Fully aware that he was being stupid due to the stress, Bugs breathed slowly and carefully surveyed the swamp around them. He let the others worry about where they were going. (If I'm getting the colors right . . .) The Muddiest Brigand in Prismeer was in the skiff in front of him and Bugs kept an eye on Lil' Muddy. If an order for something nasty came, it would likely come from him. Eyes and ears open he also tried to see if anything else moved out there.
Wildred looks down the barrel of the crossbow with a forced smile hands in the air and then again at the brigand with the club.
"Why hello"he manages trying to hide his obvious jitters
"My name is Wildred and this is my friend Halei, what a lovely skiff you have here" he shuffles awkwardly.
"I don't suppose you mind dreadfully lowering the crossbow, you know all it takes is a small judder of the skiff and that bolt could easily loose itself, I've often wondered why they aren't made with a safety mechanism installed a sort of catch you know to stop the accidental release of bolts!!it does happen you know I've read many reports of crossbows firing when there user didn't mean for it, many fatalities have occurred"
He looks at the crossbow and manages another awkward smile and an awkward chuckle. Then looks back up at the brigand holding the crossbow.
"Then again I'm sure you have it all under control?"
"Sooo..." Halei begins after Wildred's introduction. "What do you guys do around here? Is there something you want, or are looking for in specific?" She offers a small smile, hoping she doesn't look as anxious as she feels. She scooches just a little closer to the brigands so they can talk more easily, but slowly in case her movement spooks them.
Wildred whimpers a bit and looks at the brigand holding the club..
"Don't mind her she's always a bit hyperactive"while he manages another awkward smile.
Chapley looks at the crossbow-wielding harengon standing on the back of his skiff, confusion evident on his face. He looks down at the scant distance between him and what could hardly be called more than a small woodland creature in his eyes. He gets a look of deep concentration like he is trying to do mental math. The concentration turns to frustration as he struggles to find an answer to the question in his head. Then his confusion seems to make him angry.
Then the tension disappears from his brow as a friendly smile spreads wide across his face, tusked teeth showing prominently. "Haha, I get it now. It's a joke, right?" He nods at the crossbow. "I thought you were serious for a moment there, pointing that thing my way, but I thought 'there's no way this rabbit is that stupid, since I'm pretty sure they could hit me in the neck from behind with that little crossbow and I'd still have time to take the two steps I'd need to cross this boat, rip them in half, and then use their friend to make a rabbit sandwich before they had a chance to load a second bolt, ' But I now get that this is just some friendly ribbing." His ensuing chuckle is genuine as he turns his back and folds his arms, completely unconcerned.
The skiffs head off in single file into the deeper swamp waters, each gaining distance as you travel. It is dark and foggy enough that you can't see the leading or following boat. The sounds of insects flitter all around. The bump of an oar against a skiff. The occasional far-off splash in the swamp waters. And the gentle whistle of the wind as it passes through the leaves of the mangrove trees. You can hear the murmurs of some conversation from the other boats, but it is too far off to make out.
As your captors (?) continue guiding their boats through the dark swampy waters, the sound of a solo lute begins. The beautiful music fills the air, accompanying the ambience of the swamp and lifting the mood of all folk attached to the ears it graces.
Bugs listens as Halei's lute fills the air with music. He smiled. The bard was not only talented but smart.
He badly wanted to take out the brigands and give them a good thumpin' but it just didn't make sense. The skiff were taking them somewhere and they needed to go somewhere. If they could get Aros to help, then his desire for some payback would have to wait. So he ignored the crossbow next to him and watched the swamp around him. But he remained ready for action.
After some time, the darkness under the mangroves and the thick fog thins a little as the skiffs enter a lake, surrounded by a settlement consisting of a collection of wooden outbuildings and ruins surrounding a monstrous cottage protruding up in the centre.
A call is heard from the bank in front, "Welcome to Downfall!"
As the boats stop at a wooden peer next to a big, floating balloon (similar to the fallen balloon you found Sir Talavar in).
The brigands are greeted with open arms by four bullywugs aboard the peer. There is some conversation between Adgon and the bullywugs that you cannot understand before you are welcomed onboard the peer.
The brigands release you onto the peer from each boat, one by one.
Please see the map of Downfall on the champaign page or here. You entered via the large opening to the east of the lake and travelled across the lake to the twin peers next to the floating balloon on the western side of the lake.
As Wildred exits the skiff he thanks the brigands and gives them a smile as he notices the banter in a different language he casts comprehend language hiding behind his companions so as to stealthily cast without being noticed wanting to find out and get an insight at what was being said.
When the bandits arrived in Downfall they seemed to simply drop the group off on the peer. Bugs ignored the one with the crossbow and asked the other bandit guard a question or three. "Is ol' Muddy just dropping us off then? Do you know where we would find help for our friend? You seem like you know the place, but I'm new to this particular piece of boardwalk. A first time sightseer. Where could a rabbit get some good carrot cider around here?"
Wildred pipes up he didn't want to see his friend aimlessly asking questions and thought what harm can it do in telling the group what hed over heard " I believe we are to be given over to the one and only Bavlorna Blightstraw, hard to imagine we will be esteemed guests, but first I believe we are to see a King Gullop if I'm not mistaken my dear friends!" Wildred sighed and then continued... "well I believe there's nothing else to it, we are here now suppose we best continue on not like we ever had much choice in the matter..I hope Aros will be ok?"he said as he looked over to see her condition.
Sammy jumps from the skiff with Resmae on his back as soon as the dock is near enough for it to be an easy jump. As soon as Resmae sees her friends, she breathes a sigh of relief, she was really starting to get worried. But as she looks around, she finds a bit of delight in her surroundings.
As Wildred mentions Bavlorna, she pipes up, "Yes! The black hatted thief said the same thing! That they were taking us to her. Do you think there is a connection between her and Lorna?"
The four friendly bullywugs greet you as you board the peer. To your right, as you board the southernmost peer, is a more extended peer where two more bullywug are tending to the floating balloon. One, tools in hand, up a ladder, while the other steadies it. Nearby are three giant frogs peering around with their giant bulging eyes. Occasionally one of the frogs launches its tongue at a nearby creature with a "Squak!" as its rolled up, prey-laden tongue, recoils back into its mouth.
One of the bullywugs steps forward to welcome the group. "Welcome to Downfall."
Barely had the words come from his mouth when Balliol hit him with a barrage of questions. "Is ol' Muddy just dropping us off then? Do you know where we would find help for our friend? You seem like you know the place, but I'm new to this particular piece of boardwalk. A first-time sightseer. Where could a rabbit get some good carrot cider around here?"
The bullywug steps back a little, holds his hands up in front of himself and nervously laughs. "Ha ha ha! You have a lot of questions there, friend. Let's see..." he pauses to ponder the outburst. "The harengon' said you asked to see Bavlorna? To help someone?" he looks at Chapley carrying the unconscious Aros in his arms. Looking concerned, he points behind, "Please make your way across the stepping stones, through the balloon factory, and across the bridge to the gazebo where King Cullop holds court. If you wish to meet with Bavlorna, you must first speak with the King. He will be honoured to make your acquaintance."
Halei squeaks at the sight of the giant frogs and their giant eyeballs. Frogs always kind of freaked her out a little.
When the bullywug finishes speaking, Halei makes her way to where he points, momentarily forgetting the brigands still present with their scary crossbows and bats. She was worried about Aros, there was no time to waste, and she could only hope they would be able to find help for her new friend.
Resmae takes in their new surroundings and looks with wide eyes at the giant talking frogs. After the one who seems to be the leader finishes, she asks, almost timidly, "Where can we find Lorna?"
“Hmmm. You should probably see the king.” is the reply from one of the bullywugs in front of you.
The balloon
Looming above a ramshackle wooden pier is a balloon anchored by four thick ropes tied around wooden posts driven deep into the mire. The balloon’s bladder expands and sags at irregular intervals as swamp gas fills it briefly before leaking out through various tears in its patchwork fabric. A bullywug stands near the top of a ladders and is using a long silver needle and a spool of catgut to sew up one of the openings. A second bullywug stands at the foot of the ladder to steady it. Huddled nearby are three giant frogs whose long tongues snap up passing insects.
The bullywug repeats his request... "Please make your way across the stepping stones, through the balloon factory, and across the bridge to the gazebo where King Cullop holds court." encouraging you toward the planks that lead to the stepping stones.
The Stepping Stones
A row of boulders spaced two feet apart breach the surface of the lake to form a walking path across a forty-foot-wide waterway.
Bugs thanks the Bullywug for his help and moves across the stepping stones. He is tempted to just rabbit leap all the way across but it seems like it might be rude - and quite a jump. So he steps out onto the stones and moves across. He steps on each stone except for the smallest - #5. He can't help but look around as he carefully moves across the stones. Wasn't Bavlorna the one that could make little copies of herself? He looked around for little toadlike copies of the hag. They would be somewhat like the bullywugs but he'd know the difference, wouldn't he? He'd seen one of her at the carnival after all.