The harengon pulls the skiff up to the rickety dock. "Good luck," she says, and turns to row off. (You also tie up your second skiff, which will remain at your disposal.)

" You know.....as far as swamps go....It's not that bad! Well, I'm not saying I'd like to build a summer home here, but the trees are actually quite lovely."

" Plus! Look at the cute F.O.U.S.! "

Ben:

Moving forward, Ben says, “I suppose it is the stepping stones, first.”

Ben begins to head down the planked path, skirting the massive frogs who eye him warily. The bullywugs ignore Ben and the party and continue their work on the balloon. 

Titaani would like to reach out and pet one of the giant frogs. Animal handling: 7

Horatio:

Seeing Titaani reach out as she does, Horatio readies himself to intercede if the from attacks.

(Prepared action to step between Titaani and the frog and shield her.)

The frog lunges forward slightly in a non-friendly manner. It is clearly recommending that you back away from the balloon.

Ben:

”Apology, this one young,” says Ben haltingly in Sylvan, bowing to the bullywugs nearby.

In Common, he continues, ”Titaani, I get the impression the bullywugs and their frog companions are wary of outsiders.  It may be prudent to ask permission in the future before approaching.”

”Although, if someone has magic that might aid their balloon repair, offering to help may be a good idea,” concludes Ben.

"Oh...sorry," Titaani apologises, disappointed. "I get that. I don't think any of my magic can help with the balloon though." 

" I'm good with needle and thread if that would help?"

The bullywug on the ground looks at Matilda and responds in Sylvan,

Ben:

Nodding his head to the Bullywug, Ben says, “Very kind of you Matilda, but it seems that if we want to get to interact with them, we need to move on and meet their king first.  Let’s keep going.”

Leading the party forward, Ben spies a stepstone crossing ahead: a row of boulders spaced two feet apart breach the surface of the lake to form a walking path into the waterway.

Ben:

”Right, let’s do this,” says Ben, looking carefully at the rocks for slick spots or unstable surfaces, then he moves carefully from rock to rock…

Perception:  17

Ben carefully leads the party across the boulder stepstones. The water is murky – you can't see the bottom – and the fog remains thick. By the time you are thirty feet out, you can no longer see a shore - just swampy lake, thick white fog, and stones.

And that's where Ben has a shock. Although he carefully examines each stone before stepping upon it, one of the large boulders about thirty feet out suddenly lifts out of the water the moment he steps upon it. (He is able to step back and maintain his balance without a roll.) A six-foot-tall mass of rock, in humanoid form, dripping with bog water, stands and glares at Ben. 

"What what?" grumbles the rocky thing, reaching behind him to massage the offended area. "You stepped upon me! Your tread on my back! The indignity! Whom do you think you are, stomping on my spine like I was your stepstool?"

Ben:

”My apologies, good creature.  Your camouflage was so excellent that I was unable to perceive your true nature,” says Ben with a slight bow.  

“We are following the path set before us by the Bullywugs.  I meant no offense.  My name is Ben—a pleasure to meet you,” he adds.

Persuasion: 14

"Camouflage? Pah!" The creature draws itself up to its full height and looms over Ben. "I'll give you one more chance to apologize. But this time sing it. With feeling."

(You may redo your Persuasion check, with or without help.)

Ben:

Somewhere from deep within a song comes to Ben’s mind.  The melody and words tumble out of his mouth before he consciously registers it, a song from far in his past and before he went to the carnival…that first time.

“I've built walls
A fortress deep and mighty
That none may penetrate
I have no need of friendship friendship causes pains
It's laughter and it's loving I disdain
I am a rock I am an island”

Ben takes a breath, hoping someone will join in and harmonize…

Titaani’s face lights up with excitement. With the air of someone who regards infinite danger as a game, she joins in with Ben, not a perfect singer but makes up for being slightly off pitch with her unbridled enthusiasm.

“I’ve built walls! A fortress deep and mighty, that none may penetrate...” she hums for a moment, forgetting the other lines, then joins in again at the chorus. “I AM A ROCK I AM AN ISLAND!!”

(help given to Ben)

Matilda did not know any appropriate songs or tunes but smiled encouragingly at the two of them.