As the rock tumbles along the ground next to Bert his eyes narrow and all the joy and happiness leaves his soul from that instant forward all he can focus on is how to crush his enemies, see them driven before him, and to hear the lamentations of their reptilian women! Bert dashes with shocking speed for a tortle to the lizard hiding behind the boxes and delivers a massive one handed smash to the head with his quarterstaff and in the next step turns to kick the other lizard squarely in the chest with his tortle toes.
As quickly as they swarmed the docks one by one they fall. The figure on the both let out a long loud roar before shouting something and slinkjng back into the waters in retreat.
You hear a hiss and low growl coming from behind you and you see the fat orange tabby cat galloping towards you, its eyes glowing a soft blue, the same color as the gem on its collar. "What's going on, is everyone ok?" The cat asks. The fur stood on edge and he appeared to be even larger than its normal rotund self.
"Lizards try and kill me, and now a cat is talking. There must have been something in the stew!" Wheeze said as he turned on the approaching cat. "Good thing these other guys were here or you might have lost a boat."
Reg, weirdly unphased by something as trippy as a talking orange cat, says “Ya it seems like we’re ok.” He feels around his body checking for holes. “Who are you? It a little rude to be hanging out with us this whole time and not even say ‘hello’.” To the rest of the group, “Everyone cool? You guys have injuries I can help with?”
As quickly as they swarmed the docks one by one they fall. The figure on the both let out a long loud roar before shouting something and slinkjng back into the waters in retreat.
You hear a hiss and low growl coming from behind you and you see the fat orange tabby cat galloping towards you, its eyes glowing a soft blue, the same color as the gem on its collar. "What's going on, is everyone ok?" The cat asks. The fur stood on edge and he appeared to be even larger than its normal rotund self.
Tyrin looks at the cat with some confusion, then intrigue. Walking towards the cat, he glances back over his shoulder at the dark swamp water then the rest of the group and says "I honestly didn't expect that! Hope everyone's alright..." Upon reaching the tubby feline he held out a hand in kind gesture and a smile "Seems there is more to you than meets the eye."
As quickly as they swarmed the docks one by one they fall. The figure on the both let out a long loud roar before shouting something and slinkjng back into the waters in retreat.
You hear a hiss and low growl coming from behind you and you see the fat orange tabby cat galloping towards you, its eyes glowing a soft blue, the same color as the gem on its collar. "What's going on, is everyone ok?" The cat asks. The fur stood on edge and he appeared to be even larger than its normal rotund self.
Tyrin looks at the cat with some confusion, then intrigue. Walking towards the cat, he glances back over his shoulder at the dark swamp water then the rest of the group and says "I honestly didn't expect that! Hope everyone's alright..." Upon reaching the tubby feline he held out a hand in kind gesture and a smile "Seems there is more to you than meets the eye."
"Sure doesn't act like a cat, are you some kind of druid thing?" Wheeze said while beginning to investigate the dead lizardfolk.
The cat rubbed its face against Tyrion's outstrentched hand on reflex before pulling away. He sneezed slight before trotting off towards the bodies. "I am a cat, though I follow the teachings of The Traveler. My old master gave me sentience before passing, I am Keeper of Milk Dreams though the people here just call me Milk." He sniffed one of the bodies and hissed. "I'm a liason for the Cazadors here, a monster hunting guild with halls in all the major cities. Thid isn't good." Milk trails before running off.
With Milk gone Weeze looks over the bodies of your fallen foes. It doesn't take much to realize the bodies are of juvinele lizardfolk, not adults. You also find a days worth of rations on the three on land along with their simple weaponry
A moment passes and you see the faint glow of torchlight through the darkness. Bubba returns, lead by Milk, and sighs when he sees the bodies. "Watched out for big lizards, good" Bubba says as he pokes one with his staff. "Did good. Still bad, but did good. Talk tomorrow with town on what next. Rest but stay careful." Bubba collects the bodies and takes them to be disposed of.
Milks yawns widely, eyes already half closed. "If you need me I'll be at my pillow. Gods know my nap has been ruined, good luck falling back asleep now." He muttered to himself as he slowly waltzed away. "Good job tonight, thanks." You hear Milk say out of eyesight.
Reg watches Milk waltz away, thumb and finger holding his chin as if in thought. He then turns to Bubba, "Man this is so crazy. Those lizardfolk came out of nowhere. I mean I really had my guard down, that Arok guy assured us that you had us guarding the boats almost to keep us out of your way. In my experience, rarely are folks that sexy wrong." He goes to help Bubba dispose of the bodies. "So what do you think the town will want to do because of this attack? Also, do we work for a cat now?"
Bubba's eyes narrow. "Why Bubba do that? Boats good, boats important. Arok not good." He then sighed. "Big lizards swim. We protect land, hard to protect water. Town may cancel hunt now, Bubba hope not." He said. When Reg suggested that they worked for Milk, Bubba laughed. "Milk lazy, doesn't like doing own job. No. Come to meeting tomorrow. Bubba introduce you to everyone and find out what next."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Wheeze, wiping off one of the lizard folks daggers and tucking it in his belt, "Well whatever we are doing, we still have a job watching the boat. I'm going to hide soemwhere in case more nonsense speaking lizard bastards come back to stab us in the night." He then settles into a hidden corner and returns to his guard duty.
"Ok then," Reg pops open another ale. "We'll see you tomorrow at the meeting." Reg returns to guard duty. Singing to himself, "Don't talk to strangers. 'Cause they're only there to do you harm..."
The rest of the night went by fairly smoothly. As the sun rose a young boy came round pulling a cart with food. You noticed it was the same boy from the night prior, the one that worked for Arok. He brought with him a warm breakfast of eggs, hash, and crispy bacon. A could men came a few minutes after him. When the boy saw them aproach he quickly gathered the leftovers and left without much of a good bye.
"We're here to replace you. Meeting's about to start in the Hunter's Lodge. Bubba's been going on about you lot, rightfully so. You'll all be practically the guests of honor." The lead said.
When you enter the lodge you see numerous trophies and tapestries on the walls from past hunts; skulls, skins, taxidermy fish of various colors. The place felt warm and not muggy like the outdoors felt. You see a large group of people sitting around a long table, Bubba sitting at the head. You also see Arok sitting, arms folded at one of the sides and Milk curled up on the table top, nose tucked under his tail.
"Asking too much! Hunt too important for town." Bubba says.
"Too Important to the town or too Important for you. Bubba I know the hunt is important to you but there's too much going on." A halfling said. He sat calm at the table and carried a sense of authority behind his words.
"Important to Bubba yes. And to everyone else too." Bubba said.
"Arthur?" The halfling said. A young man stood forward dressed in leathers.
"The swamps are too dangerous right now. There's talks of a new dragon taking roost in the south east and ogres as well. The Lizardfolk have always been aggressive but they've kept to their territory. Last night was they crossed into ours. Not to mention the scouts I've sent north that never returned."Arthur explaind.
"Our Archdruid is missing too," A meek Half-elf says. "He spoke about visiting a lost shrine but that was weeks ago."
"I'm sorry to hear that Sunflower but it's all the more reason. Until the swamps are safe again the hunt is canceled." The halfling said.
Bubba chattered to himself, rubbing his face with his hands as he sought any solution to his quandary. It was then he noticed your group standing on the outskirts of the group.
"Heroes! Heroes can clean swamp, make safe again. Heroes saved boats last night, saved town from big lizards." Bubba said. The attention shifted from Bubba to the four of you now as they studied your appearance and judged if you were worthy or not.
The halfling sighed. "Before I go any farther let me introduce myself. I'm Mayor Shoor. And I cannot in good faith ask you to do anything for this town. Bubba speaks highly of you but he's... excitable at times. If you decide to help us we would be appreciative and we would compensate you as best as we can, but we would think no less of you if you decline."
As Bert returns from his bloodlust he takes a deep breath focuses and then cheerfully says "That was quite the rumble who thought we would be on the job that quickly! Boy am I excited to be working with a group like you we took care of that so fast I would be surprised if we don't get a raise you know! " Well boys after that and the great meal I am pretty tuckered out for the night
With a quick jump and a loud thud Bert tucks his arms head and legs into the shell and falls to the dock. From inside you can hear a muffled "Goodnight Reg, goodnight, Wheeze, goodnight Tyrin, goodnight orange kitty, goodnight otter man..... a low rumbling snoring can be heard from the shell sounds like an echoing from a cave.
The rest of the night went by fairly smoothly. As the sun rose a young boy came round pulling a cart with food. You noticed it was the same boy from the night prior, the one that worked for Arok. He brought with him a warm breakfast of eggs, hash, and crispy bacon. A could men came a few minutes after him. When the boy saw them aproach he quickly gathered the leftovers and left without much of a good bye.
"We're here to replace you. Meeting's about to start in the Hunter's Lodge. Bubba's been going on about you lot, rightfully so. You'll all be practically the guests of honor." The lead said.
When you enter the lodge you see numerous trophies and tapestries on the walls from past hunts; skulls, skins, taxidermy fish of various colors. The place felt warm and not muggy like the outdoors felt. You see a large group of people sitting around a long table, Bubba sitting at the head. You also see Arok sitting, arms folded at one of the sides and Milk curled up on the table top, nose tucked under his tail.
"Asking too much! Hunt too important for town." Bubba says.
"Too Important to the town or too Important for you. Bubba I know the hunt is important to you but there's too much going on." A halfling said. He sat calm at the table and carried a sense of authority behind his words.
"Important to Bubba yes. And to everyone else too." Bubba said.
"Arthur?" The halfling said. A young man stood forward dressed in leathers.
"The swamps are too dangerous right now. There's talks of a new dragon taking roost in the south east and ogres as well. The Lizardfolk have always been aggressive but they've kept to their territory. Last night was they crossed into ours. Not to mention the scouts I've sent north that never returned."Arthur explaind.
"Our Archdruid is missing too," A meek Half-elf says. "He spoke about visiting a lost shrine but that was weeks ago."
"I'm sorry to hear that Sunflower but it's all the more reason. Until the swamps are safe again the hunt is canceled." The halfling said.
Bubba chattered to himself, rubbing his face with his hands as he sought any solution to his quandary. It was then he noticed your group standing on the outskirts of the group.
"Heroes! Heroes can clean swamp, make safe again. Heroes saved boats last night, saved town from big lizards." Bubba said. The attention shifted from Bubba to the four of you now as they studied your appearance and judged if you were worthy or not.
The halfling sighed. "Before I go any farther let me introduce myself. I'm Mayor Shoor. And I cannot in good faith ask you to do anything for this town. Bubba speaks highly of you but he's... excitable at times. If you decide to help us we would be appreciative and we would compensate you as best as we can, but we would think no less of you if you decline."
A bit stunned from all the attention "Well, I mean... Heroes is a strong word, I don't even really know these three." Tyrin looks around "I mean, not that I wouldn't welcome the challenge. And I do feel I should try to at least see what happened to the Archdruid." Tyrin looks at the rest of the group for their response.
The rest of the night went by fairly smoothly. As the sun rose a young boy came round pulling a cart with food. You noticed it was the same boy from the night prior, the one that worked for Arok. He brought with him a warm breakfast of eggs, hash, and crispy bacon. A could men came a few minutes after him. When the boy saw them aproach he quickly gathered the leftovers and left without much of a good bye.
"We're here to replace you. Meeting's about to start in the Hunter's Lodge. Bubba's been going on about you lot, rightfully so. You'll all be practically the guests of honor." The lead said.
When you enter the lodge you see numerous trophies and tapestries on the walls from past hunts; skulls, skins, taxidermy fish of various colors. The place felt warm and not muggy like the outdoors felt. You see a large group of people sitting around a long table, Bubba sitting at the head. You also see Arok sitting, arms folded at one of the sides and Milk curled up on the table top, nose tucked under his tail.
"Asking too much! Hunt too important for town." Bubba says.
"Too Important to the town or too Important for you. Bubba I know the hunt is important to you but there's too much going on." A halfling said. He sat calm at the table and carried a sense of authority behind his words.
"Important to Bubba yes. And to everyone else too." Bubba said.
"Arthur?" The halfling said. A young man stood forward dressed in leathers.
"The swamps are too dangerous right now. There's talks of a new dragon taking roost in the south east and ogres as well. The Lizardfolk have always been aggressive but they've kept to their territory. Last night was they crossed into ours. Not to mention the scouts I've sent north that never returned."Arthur explaind.
"Our Archdruid is missing too," A meek Half-elf says. "He spoke about visiting a lost shrine but that was weeks ago."
"I'm sorry to hear that Sunflower but it's all the more reason. Until the swamps are safe again the hunt is canceled." The halfling said.
Bubba chattered to himself, rubbing his face with his hands as he sought any solution to his quandary. It was then he noticed your group standing on the outskirts of the group.
"Heroes! Heroes can clean swamp, make safe again. Heroes saved boats last night, saved town from big lizards." Bubba said. The attention shifted from Bubba to the four of you now as they studied your appearance and judged if you were worthy or not.
The halfling sighed. "Before I go any farther let me introduce myself. I'm Mayor Shoor. And I cannot in good faith ask you to do anything for this town. Bubba speaks highly of you but he's... excitable at times. If you decide to help us we would be appreciative and we would compensate you as best as we can, but we would think no less of you if you decline."
A bit stunned from all the attention "Well, I mean... Heroes is a strong word, I don't even really know these three." Tyrin looks around "I mean, not that I wouldn't welcome the challenge. And I do feel I should try to at least see what happened to the Archdruid." Tyrin looks at the rest of the group for their response.
“You’re right, ‘heroes’ is a strong word. And one that I’m readily available to be associated with!” To Mayor Shoor, “So tell me Mr. Mayor, what threat do you feel is more immediate: clearing the swamp or finding the Druid? Sunflower is his name? I used to know a lot of “Sunflower’s” at the great bard festival of Broodstock. Lots of druids and woods witches there. Their “free love” was wonderful but none ever bathed so the whole forest stank like a troll’s taint.” Reg strolls over to Arok and sits on his lap, staring deep into his eyes. He pulls out his lyre and plays a light tune very softly so as not to interrupt the conversation and still addressing the mayor but staring lustfully at Arok asks “So what can you tell us about the Druid, the swamps and this dragon you’ve mentioned. I do love a good *hard* quest.”
(While sitting on Aroks lap, as long as he’s allowing it, I’d like to investigate Arok.)
The rest of the night went by fairly smoothly. As the sun rose a young boy came round pulling a cart with food. You noticed it was the same boy from the night prior, the one that worked for Arok. He brought with him a warm breakfast of eggs, hash, and crispy bacon. A could men came a few minutes after him. When the boy saw them aproach he quickly gathered the leftovers and left without much of a good bye.
"We're here to replace you. Meeting's about to start in the Hunter's Lodge. Bubba's been going on about you lot, rightfully so. You'll all be practically the guests of honor." The lead said.
When you enter the lodge you see numerous trophies and tapestries on the walls from past hunts; skulls, skins, taxidermy fish of various colors. The place felt warm and not muggy like the outdoors felt. You see a large group of people sitting around a long table, Bubba sitting at the head. You also see Arok sitting, arms folded at one of the sides and Milk curled up on the table top, nose tucked under his tail.
"Asking too much! Hunt too important for town." Bubba says.
"Too Important to the town or too Important for you. Bubba I know the hunt is important to you but there's too much going on." A halfling said. He sat calm at the table and carried a sense of authority behind his words.
"Important to Bubba yes. And to everyone else too." Bubba said.
"Arthur?" The halfling said. A young man stood forward dressed in leathers.
"The swamps are too dangerous right now. There's talks of a new dragon taking roost in the south east and ogres as well. The Lizardfolk have always been aggressive but they've kept to their territory. Last night was they crossed into ours. Not to mention the scouts I've sent north that never returned."Arthur explaind.
"Our Archdruid is missing too," A meek Half-elf says. "He spoke about visiting a lost shrine but that was weeks ago."
"I'm sorry to hear that Sunflower but it's all the more reason. Until the swamps are safe again the hunt is canceled." The halfling said.
Bubba chattered to himself, rubbing his face with his hands as he sought any solution to his quandary. It was then he noticed your group standing on the outskirts of the group.
"Heroes! Heroes can clean swamp, make safe again. Heroes saved boats last night, saved town from big lizards." Bubba said. The attention shifted from Bubba to the four of you now as they studied your appearance and judged if you were worthy or not.
The halfling sighed. "Before I go any farther let me introduce myself. I'm Mayor Shoor. And I cannot in good faith ask you to do anything for this town. Bubba speaks highly of you but he's... excitable at times. If you decide to help us we would be appreciative and we would compensate you as best as we can, but we would think no less of you if you decline."
A bit stunned from all the attention "Well, I mean... Heroes is a strong word, I don't even really know these three." Tyrin looks around "I mean, not that I wouldn't welcome the challenge. And I do feel I should try to at least see what happened to the Archdruid." Tyrin looks at the rest of the group for their response.
"I'm willing to help, should we start by looking for the druid? If they are in danger that would be the most time sensitive task"
"I'm actually Sunflower." The shy half-elf said. "Our Archdruid is Moon Shadow. And i thank you for looking into his disapearence. Like I said.." she trails as her gaze follows Reggie around the table. She blushes and looks away when he sits on Aroks lap.
There is some murmering among the grouo at Reggies actions and Arok appears to have been caught off guard.
"While I appreciate the flattery could you please get off," Arok says with added emphasis on the last two words, though still careful to maintain the look of professionalism.
"I-I-I" Sunflower stammers while trying to compose herself. "Like I was saying, um, Moon Shadow had left to commune at a shrine when he disapered. He had said that an imbalance had grown in the swamp and he was looking for guidance on what to do. The shrine is only known to the Archdruid, somewhere north i would guess as thats where he was heading. Though we have looked with help from Arthur and his rangers, we haven't found anything. I'm sorry i couldn't be more help," Sunflower explained, her fave still red and gaze never leaving the tabletop.
"I-I-I" Sunflower stammers while trying to compose herself. "Like I was saying, um, Moon Shadow had left to commune at a shrine when he disapered. He had said that an imbalance had grown in the swamp and he was looking for guidance on what to do. The shrine is only known to the Archdruid, somewhere north i would guess as thats where he was heading. Though we have looked with help from Arthur and his rangers, we haven't found anything. I'm sorry i couldn't be more help," Sunflower explained, her fave still red and gaze never leaving the tabletop.
"Well unless these other guys are doing something else, Im willing to look for an old guy in the swamp for the right coin. Where's this Arthur guy so I can ask him where he's already looked. Oh, and who's got the money we're owed for last night's eventful watch."
"I'm afraid we our circle doesn't have much in coin. Most of the goods we get from the town are done in exchange for services. I'm can assure you, you will all be properly rewarded if you are able to help us."Sunflower says, finally able to look up at the crowd.
"Here, here!" Bubba shouts to Weeze before heading over. "For saving boats and town." He then handed over the agreed upon payment to each of them, completly oblivious to interupting Sunflower.
The young man from earlier looks over at you, amd coughs slightly before stepping forward andpulls out a rolled up crude map of the surrounding area. Bubba, realizing what he did, shys away back tonthe crowd. "We've searched a few miles out from the"Here, here!" Bubba shouts to Weeze before heading over. "For saving boats and town." He then handed over the agreed upon payment to each of them, completly oblivious to interupting Arthur's explinatiom. Any farther and unless you're on a marked trail you're flirting with danger, and even on the trail there's no guarentee of safety. I've heard of a hermit to the east of us that might be able to help. I've never been able to find him so I don't know how accurate that information is or even if he'd be willing to help. This general area is where I last sent a team that disappeared," Arthur says as he points North, north west of town. "Sunflower says Moon Shadow also ventured north so I would not be surprised if our two missing people are somehow connected."
((I dunno how accurate I made the map but essentially each hex is a days travel due to conditions of the swamp. You can cover two hexes in a day in exchange for a level of exhaustion. We'll see how this method works before i make any on the fly edits to this ruling.))
"Thank's for the coin friend, and I'd also like to ask some questions while I've got the lot of you. These rivers marked on the map, are they large enough for a canoe to travel? And does the trail intersect it at any point further north? I'm hoping if the group chooses to go north we'll be able to save some time with river travel. That'll get us closer to the missing folks faster at least" Wheeze then turned to the other three adventurers, "What do you think heroes? Got any better ideas?"
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As the rock tumbles along the ground next to Bert his eyes narrow and all the joy and happiness leaves his soul from that instant forward all he can focus on is how to crush his enemies, see them driven before him, and to hear the lamentations of their reptilian women! Bert dashes with shocking speed for a tortle to the lizard hiding behind the boxes and delivers a massive one handed smash to the head with his quarterstaff and in the next step turns to kick the other lizard squarely in the chest with his tortle toes.
As quickly as they swarmed the docks one by one they fall. The figure on the both let out a long loud roar before shouting something and slinkjng back into the waters in retreat.
You hear a hiss and low growl coming from behind you and you see the fat orange tabby cat galloping towards you, its eyes glowing a soft blue, the same color as the gem on its collar. "What's going on, is everyone ok?" The cat asks. The fur stood on edge and he appeared to be even larger than its normal rotund self.
"Lizards try and kill me, and now a cat is talking. There must have been something in the stew!" Wheeze said as he turned on the approaching cat. "Good thing these other guys were here or you might have lost a boat."
Reg, weirdly unphased by something as trippy as a talking orange cat, says “Ya it seems like we’re ok.” He feels around his body checking for holes. “Who are you? It a little rude to be hanging out with us this whole time and not even say ‘hello’.” To the rest of the group, “Everyone cool? You guys have injuries I can help with?”
Tyrin looks at the cat with some confusion, then intrigue. Walking towards the cat, he glances back over his shoulder at the dark swamp water then the rest of the group and says "I honestly didn't expect that! Hope everyone's alright..." Upon reaching the tubby feline he held out a hand in kind gesture and a smile "Seems there is more to you than meets the eye."
"Sure doesn't act like a cat, are you some kind of druid thing?" Wheeze said while beginning to investigate the dead lizardfolk.
The cat rubbed its face against Tyrion's outstrentched hand on reflex before pulling away. He sneezed slight before trotting off towards the bodies. "I am a cat, though I follow the teachings of The Traveler. My old master gave me sentience before passing, I am Keeper of Milk Dreams though the people here just call me Milk." He sniffed one of the bodies and hissed. "I'm a liason for the Cazadors here, a monster hunting guild with halls in all the major cities. Thid isn't good." Milk trails before running off.
With Milk gone Weeze looks over the bodies of your fallen foes. It doesn't take much to realize the bodies are of juvinele lizardfolk, not adults. You also find a days worth of rations on the three on land along with their simple weaponry
A moment passes and you see the faint glow of torchlight through the darkness. Bubba returns, lead by Milk, and sighs when he sees the bodies. "Watched out for big lizards, good" Bubba says as he pokes one with his staff. "Did good. Still bad, but did good. Talk tomorrow with town on what next. Rest but stay careful." Bubba collects the bodies and takes them to be disposed of.
Milks yawns widely, eyes already half closed. "If you need me I'll be at my pillow. Gods know my nap has been ruined, good luck falling back asleep now." He muttered to himself as he slowly waltzed away. "Good job tonight, thanks." You hear Milk say out of eyesight.
Reg watches Milk waltz away, thumb and finger holding his chin as if in thought. He then turns to Bubba, "Man this is so crazy. Those lizardfolk came out of nowhere. I mean I really had my guard down, that Arok guy assured us that you had us guarding the boats almost to keep us out of your way. In my experience, rarely are folks that sexy wrong." He goes to help Bubba dispose of the bodies. "So what do you think the town will want to do because of this attack? Also, do we work for a cat now?"
Bubba's eyes narrow. "Why Bubba do that? Boats good, boats important. Arok not good." He then sighed. "Big lizards swim. We protect land, hard to protect water. Town may cancel hunt now, Bubba hope not." He said. When Reg suggested that they worked for Milk, Bubba laughed. "Milk lazy, doesn't like doing own job. No. Come to meeting tomorrow. Bubba introduce you to everyone and find out what next."
Wheeze, wiping off one of the lizard folks daggers and tucking it in his belt, "Well whatever we are doing, we still have a job watching the boat. I'm going to hide soemwhere in case more nonsense speaking lizard bastards come back to stab us in the night." He then settles into a hidden corner and returns to his guard duty.
(stealth check to hide on the dock) 15
"Ok then," Reg pops open another ale. "We'll see you tomorrow at the meeting." Reg returns to guard duty. Singing to himself, "Don't talk to strangers. 'Cause they're only there to do you harm..."
The rest of the night went by fairly smoothly. As the sun rose a young boy came round pulling a cart with food. You noticed it was the same boy from the night prior, the one that worked for Arok. He brought with him a warm breakfast of eggs, hash, and crispy bacon. A could men came a few minutes after him. When the boy saw them aproach he quickly gathered the leftovers and left without much of a good bye.
"We're here to replace you. Meeting's about to start in the Hunter's Lodge. Bubba's been going on about you lot, rightfully so. You'll all be practically the guests of honor." The lead said.
When you enter the lodge you see numerous trophies and tapestries on the walls from past hunts; skulls, skins, taxidermy fish of various colors. The place felt warm and not muggy like the outdoors felt. You see a large group of people sitting around a long table, Bubba sitting at the head. You also see Arok sitting, arms folded at one of the sides and Milk curled up on the table top, nose tucked under his tail.
"Asking too much! Hunt too important for town." Bubba says.
"Too Important to the town or too Important for you. Bubba I know the hunt is important to you but there's too much going on." A halfling said. He sat calm at the table and carried a sense of authority behind his words.
"Important to Bubba yes. And to everyone else too." Bubba said.
"Arthur?" The halfling said. A young man stood forward dressed in leathers.
"The swamps are too dangerous right now. There's talks of a new dragon taking roost in the south east and ogres as well. The Lizardfolk have always been aggressive but they've kept to their territory. Last night was they crossed into ours. Not to mention the scouts I've sent north that never returned." Arthur explaind.
"Our Archdruid is missing too," A meek Half-elf says. "He spoke about visiting a lost shrine but that was weeks ago."
"I'm sorry to hear that Sunflower but it's all the more reason. Until the swamps are safe again the hunt is canceled." The halfling said.
Bubba chattered to himself, rubbing his face with his hands as he sought any solution to his quandary. It was then he noticed your group standing on the outskirts of the group.
"Heroes! Heroes can clean swamp, make safe again. Heroes saved boats last night, saved town from big lizards." Bubba said. The attention shifted from Bubba to the four of you now as they studied your appearance and judged if you were worthy or not.
The halfling sighed. "Before I go any farther let me introduce myself. I'm Mayor Shoor. And I cannot in good faith ask you to do anything for this town. Bubba speaks highly of you but he's... excitable at times. If you decide to help us we would be appreciative and we would compensate you as best as we can, but we would think no less of you if you decline."
As Bert returns from his bloodlust he takes a deep breath focuses and then cheerfully says "That was quite the rumble who thought we would be on the job that quickly! Boy am I excited to be working with a group like you we took care of that so fast I would be surprised if we don't get a raise you know! " Well boys after that and the great meal I am pretty tuckered out for the night
With a quick jump and a loud thud Bert tucks his arms head and legs into the shell and falls to the dock. From inside you can hear a muffled "Goodnight Reg, goodnight, Wheeze, goodnight Tyrin, goodnight orange kitty, goodnight otter man..... a low rumbling snoring can be heard from the shell sounds like an echoing from a cave.
A bit stunned from all the attention "Well, I mean... Heroes is a strong word, I don't even really know these three." Tyrin looks around "I mean, not that I wouldn't welcome the challenge. And I do feel I should try to at least see what happened to the Archdruid." Tyrin looks at the rest of the group for their response.
“You’re right, ‘heroes’ is a strong word. And one that I’m readily available to be associated with!” To Mayor Shoor, “So tell me Mr. Mayor, what threat do you feel is more immediate: clearing the swamp or finding the Druid? Sunflower is his name? I used to know a lot of “Sunflower’s” at the great bard festival of Broodstock. Lots of druids and woods witches there. Their “free love” was wonderful but none ever bathed so the whole forest stank like a troll’s taint.” Reg strolls over to Arok and sits on his lap, staring deep into his eyes. He pulls out his lyre and plays a light tune very softly so as not to interrupt the conversation and still addressing the mayor but staring lustfully at Arok asks “So what can you tell us about the Druid, the swamps and this dragon you’ve mentioned. I do love a good *hard* quest.”
(While sitting on Aroks lap, as long as he’s allowing it, I’d like to investigate Arok.)
"I'm willing to help, should we start by looking for the druid? If they are in danger that would be the most time sensitive task"
"I'm actually Sunflower." The shy half-elf said. "Our Archdruid is Moon Shadow. And i thank you for looking into his disapearence. Like I said.." she trails as her gaze follows Reggie around the table. She blushes and looks away when he sits on Aroks lap.
There is some murmering among the grouo at Reggies actions and Arok appears to have been caught off guard.
"While I appreciate the flattery could you please get off," Arok says with added emphasis on the last two words, though still careful to maintain the look of professionalism.
"I-I-I" Sunflower stammers while trying to compose herself. "Like I was saying, um, Moon Shadow had left to commune at a shrine when he disapered. He had said that an imbalance had grown in the swamp and he was looking for guidance on what to do. The shrine is only known to the Archdruid, somewhere north i would guess as thats where he was heading. Though we have looked with help from Arthur and his rangers, we haven't found anything. I'm sorry i couldn't be more help," Sunflower explained, her fave still red and gaze never leaving the tabletop.
"Well unless these other guys are doing something else, Im willing to look for an old guy in the swamp for the right coin. Where's this Arthur guy so I can ask him where he's already looked. Oh, and who's got the money we're owed for last night's eventful watch."
"I'm afraid we our circle doesn't have much in coin. Most of the goods we get from the town are done in exchange for services. I'm can assure you, you will all be properly rewarded if you are able to help us." Sunflower says, finally able to look up at the crowd.
"Here, here!" Bubba shouts to Weeze before heading over. "For saving boats and town." He then handed over the agreed upon payment to each of them, completly oblivious to interupting Sunflower.
The young man from earlier looks over at you, amd coughs slightly before stepping forward andpulls out a rolled up crude map of the surrounding area. Bubba, realizing what he did, shys away back tonthe crowd. "We've searched a few miles out from the"Here, here!" Bubba shouts to Weeze before heading over. "For saving boats and town." He then handed over the agreed upon payment to each of them, completly oblivious to interupting Arthur's explinatiom. Any farther and unless you're on a marked trail you're flirting with danger, and even on the trail there's no guarentee of safety. I've heard of a hermit to the east of us that might be able to help. I've never been able to find him so I don't know how accurate that information is or even if he'd be willing to help. This general area is where I last sent a team that disappeared," Arthur says as he points North, north west of town. "Sunflower says Moon Shadow also ventured north so I would not be surprised if our two missing people are somehow connected."
((I dunno how accurate I made the map but essentially each hex is a days travel due to conditions of the swamp. You can cover two hexes in a day in exchange for a level of exhaustion. We'll see how this method works before i make any on the fly edits to this ruling.))
"Thank's for the coin friend, and I'd also like to ask some questions while I've got the lot of you. These rivers marked on the map, are they large enough for a canoe to travel? And does the trail intersect it at any point further north? I'm hoping if the group chooses to go north we'll be able to save some time with river travel. That'll get us closer to the missing folks faster at least" Wheeze then turned to the other three adventurers, "What do you think heroes? Got any better ideas?"