"Well," Gambi sighs, "there is more, but you probably don't want to hear about it. The Captain says he is taking the caravan on to Neverwinter and could use a couple of extra hands since the cult members will be staying here for a while. He will pay ten gold each if you go as far as Leilon, twenty-five to Neverwinter. You can go with him if you like. If we decide not to investigate this snake problem, I am headed to Waterdeep to report on the situation here. I'll probably be sent back, though, since my clients are hoping to keep the road between Neverwinter and Waterdeep safe, and a war amongst the lizardfolk won't be good for business.

"If we decide to investigate the snake-people, as far as an advance payment goes," he continues, "we would have to discuss that with Bog Luck and the leaders of the cult, which means taking Snapjaw to Castle Naerytar.

"What do you say?" Gsmbi asks. "Do you want to join the caravan, come with me to Waterdeep, or go to Castle Naerytar?"

Unsure about his preference, Delimbiyra looks to Alvis for signs of a tendency. "I have a mind to stay away from the road for a bit and that snake job might sound intriguing but it sounds to me you expect us to work for the feeling of doing good and little more which doesn't quite meet my expectation of a job. Does any of us look like a paladin? Why is it that you think we should be going with you? What's in it for us?" Pondering over his own questions, he adds, "Perhaps, these snake preachers have a few artefacts, you could let us keep all gold and trophies. After all, you said you do it for your reputation not for wealth, right?"

"Whichever option pays the most is the one I will go with. I do need to get back to hunting the beasts that have been troubling the roads but perhaps I will be able to kill two birds with one trip." Alvis says as he looks back to where the guards and their recent foes are.

"The only guaranteed pay is to go with the caravan," Gambi replies. 

"Of course," Gambi continues, "the greater the risk, the greater the reward, or so they say. If we decide to help with the snake people, we might get a large reward or find some treasure."

So, which is it going to be: the caravan or the castle?

While you decide, go ahead and level up your characters to level two.

"Well, I don't really fancy to go with that guard captain. He should have left us to our investigation when we were hot on the trails. Now we are here already and it does sound like an opportunity to find some good loot." He appears to be chewing on it a few more times before he finally relents, "I'd say I am willing to look into this snake problem. How about you, Alvis?" 

"If the castle has loot then it is worth looking into. I may not get paid but I would help deal with the root of problems in the area." Alvis says in a grim tone, shooting a wary glance towards the guard captain and the others.

"Okay, then," Gambi replies with a grin. "We are hunting snake people. First things first, though. We need to get Snapjaw to Castle Naerytar, which means a two-day trek through the Mere of Dead Men."

"Well, I guess, Snapjaw and his druid fiancé will make it a bit safer to navigate this swamp," Delimbiyra replies hopeful. 

With Snapjaw and his lizardfolk shaman companion Sunny, you are able to navigate through the swamp easily and make good progress. Eventually, you arrive at a campsite, a clearing that is drier than the sludge through which you have been slogging all day.  Four wicker lean-tos and a burnt stone platform are here. Near one of the lean-tos sits a couple of dugout canoes. The sun is beginning to set. Snapjaw suggests you take a long rest and finish the trip to the castle in the morning. What do you do?

Already on their way through the swamp, Delimbiyra will try to get into conversation with Snapjaw and Sunny, approaching Sunny and saying, "I'm really sorry, I attacked you. I didn't know you weren't a real crocodile. If I knew, perhaps, I would have tried to talk you out of eating the Gnome." With a grin he adds, "Really don't know what you were thinking to munch on that weasel, can't imagine he tastes any good and he's much too bony." Delimbiyra is trying to create a comfortable atmosphere small talking with Snapjaw and Sunny, asking about the swamp, but trying to underscore that he sees it in a positive way like how much diverse life it has and how it is a home to so many creatures and plants who can live in harmony and mostly well hidden and protected by the swamp itself. Once, he feels that Snapjaw and Sunny feel comfortable talking about the swamp (if they ever do), he will try to navigate the conversation towards topics of his more pressing interests:

"What is it that you know about this snake folk? Gambi mentioned kidnappings but has anyone actually seen any of their kind? How do they look, I wonder?"

"You think that the cult will be bothered by snakes sacrificing their kind? Or why do you think they should show any interest?"

"It looked like you weren't very well received by Bog Luck, why is that? I think it would be good if we knew a bit of your history with the cult so that we can make convincing arguments why we might need their support."

When they arrive at the dry spot, Delimbiyra agrees with Snapjaw to rest there. It looks like a good spot, at least it is try. Though, it may be travelled a bit more than he would have liked, because of which he will suggest that it will be important to post guards. He volunteers for half night's guard duty. He will also assist Snapjaw or Sunny to look for dinner (since it is their home they probably know best), or do it himself if they do not want to take the lead. 

Okay, Delimbiyra, give me a charisma check.

Charisma: 4

Okay. You are able to make friends with Snapjaw and Sunny. In what little common they know they answer you.

"Snake people new, look like people, your people and our people. Snake people take others, kill them, steal land."

"Bog Luck is cult. Snapjaw is not cult. Snapjaw and Sunny want to free lizardfolk from cult."

Well, I go ahead and try a survival check to find something for dinner? 

Survival: 18

And then Perception for guarding the first half of the night.

Perception: 10

During the night watch, Delimbiyra is carving a little crocodile out of small branch of wood, which he presents to Snapjaw and Sunny in the morning, saying that he hopes it brings them good fortune in their effort to free their people. 

As you are carving, you hear a strange moaning sound coming from the tall grasses. Everyone seems to be asleep. What do you do, Delimbiyra?

Upon hearing moans from behind the grass, Delimbiyra holds his crossbow aiming towards the sounds and listens careful in an effort to identify the noise and whether or not it is approaching. He is ready to launch a bolt and sound alarm but prefers to not disturb the others' sleep unless there is real danger. 

Three zombies come shambling out of the tall grass. Roll initiative.