The hysterical woman’s friend nods and fills you in. "I am Irma, and this is Piann, Cromm’s wife. Cromm and some men had been out hunting when they returned to find those awful amphibian creatures raiding the hamlet. They slaughtered as many of the looters as they could, but the things retreated with their dead and as much of the looted items as they could carry. It was then that we saw Cromm’s only son lying dead, and Cromm and his men swore bloody vengeance against the marauders and left in hot pursuit in the direction of the Lizard Marsh." Irma confirms the direction the looters and Cromm's party went - it shouldn't be hard to follow!
DC13 Nature or Survival to recall info about the Lizard Marsh:
This tangled mess is the home of several otherwise rare creatures. The most significant of them are the lizardmen whose ancestors are said to have ambushed the boy whose actions gave Daggerford its name. There are also known to be a number of other creatures, like bullywugs and dinosaurs in the Lizard Marsh, including some nasty carnivores. The proximity of the lizardmen to humans has increased their level of civilization to the point of using shields, warclubs, darts, and javelins. It is rumored that some of the lizardmen have been equipped with metal weapons by various evil influences at work in this corner of the world. However, these weapons tend to rust in the swamp because the lizardmen are unable to take care of them properly, so they are rarely any more potent than a club in a lizardman's hands.
(What's the party doing? I'd like to take this chance to ask you to make a post each day as possible - specifying your character's actions and thoughts. Feel free to describe scenes! I prefer to have at least half of a group agreeing on a particular course of action before I write up the next scene. Remember, the DM only describes the environment and the results of your actions. Your characters are free to do whatever you wish - I won't railroad you, but may strongly suggest you consider, or reconsider, an action. Of course, as adventurers I expect you'll want to keep going out, but the party has a say on which ones you choose and how you approach any situation. =) Thanks!)
Irma and Piann’s story makes my blood boil! I can truly relate to them, having some awareness of having everything taken from you… but that’s a tale for another day.
I’ll lead the way into Lizard Marsh. Let’s follow the trail Cromm and his men made (clearly they had no thought of trying to hide where they were headed!) I’m going to go ahead of the group a bit as I am quite stealthy and feel like I can get a good lay of the land. Keeping my short bow handy, I’m hopeful not to immediately run into any dinosaurs, bullywugs or lizardmen yet until I scope the area out. My friends are staying together, just 30 yards back in case we need to mount a full-on assault. It would be great to see Cromm and his men standing victoriously around a pile of dead lizardmen, but I don’t hold out much hope of that.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
While I do not have a ranged weapons such as a bow to bring the wrath upon the cowardly lizard scum. I do have my trusty dagger of despair at the ready to dispatch any of these creatures we encounter. While not as crafty at staying concealed asl Star, I am pretty decent at using stealth to slink my way into the marsh following Star's lead.
Before I step out I ask Fawn "Hey aren't you supposed to be the woody nature person, this is your moment to shine there chief. Let's do this thing!"
I follow Star Sunflower and Edward into the marsh, following the path Cromm and the Lizardfolk made. Seeing that Star has her bow out, I also take out my crossbow, loading it with a bolt.
I follow the party into the marsh, being careful to scope out my surroundings so I know if any Lizardfolk are lurking in the shadows. I do an investigation check to see my surroundings.
Into the Marsh Entering the marsh is like entering another world. It is thick with lush vegetation and alive with the incessant whirring and clicking of insects, reptiles, amphibians, and other…bigger…creatures. Reeds grow as high as a man on horseback, making long distance viewing impossible. The flat terrain is occasionally broken by a hillock which rises above the reeds or pools of stagnant water green with slime and fronds. Since Cromm was not trying to conceal his passage, you have little trouble finding and following his trail. You may easily ride the horses along the path, or you may go on foot; either way, you must move in single file. (Assume the marching order is Star, Fawn, Aooer?, Edward?, Syllin? Is angelisa ready to go? She can be in the hamlet and run after the party, looking to help avenge or find a friend/relative...)
DC13 Nature:
You recall that most marsh denizens are equally comfortable in the water as on land, but probably stayed on the path because they wouldn’t want to risk losing their loot in the swamp.
DC15 Survival:
You notice a strange set of tracks mixed in with Cromm’s hunting party and the frog-like tracks of the raiding party. These tracks are quite a bit larger and make a deeper impression in the mud.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
I think the marching order is good as you suggested. Star, Fawn, Aooer, Edward, and Syllin. With the terrain and the passage as you have described it would make sense that we would ride along the path as well. (I will make my rolls and respond accordingly)
As we are meandering down the path as much as I would like to remain focused on the task at hand, my mind is drawn back to how exciting this adventure is. As I reflect on this (inner dialogue), I am working through some tunes in my head, I mean I have never seen a lizard person before.... What rhymes with lizard? Did Cromm do something to provoke these creatures,? Or are these creatures just in it for the money? I can understand that, but those poor people that died surely were worth more than the money or treasure these lizard creatures have taken from them. As I ponder all of this I ask Syllan, Have you ever dispatched one of these Lizard people, if so, how did you do it?
I answer Edward by saying, "No, I haven't fought a Lizardfolk before. Though, I do remember learning about them before. They like both the land and water so they could have strayed from the path. But, I don't think they did. After all, they don't want to lose their loot.
"Has any here fought them before?" I ask the rest of the group.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Massacre
After another half an hour in the swamp, carrion birds rise from the trail, frightened by your approach. Pushing through some tall weeds, you come upon the remains of a fight. Dead men and horses are sinking into the mud on both sides of the path. Across the path is the dead body of an immense Giant Frog, the legs of a human still protruding from its mouth. The livery of one of the dead men identifies them as the baron’s party. Looking over the bodies, you find the baron, thoroughly dead and partially consumed. The baron’s signet ring, reputed to be magical, is missing. Several of the men are missing weapons.
A successful DC10 Survival check spots frog-like tracks leading off into the swamp. Failure means you don't know for sure which path to follow... You may also investigate th area for further clues if desired, or press on!
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Oh, this is not good! I'm going to provide both survival and investigation checks. I think it's a good idea to scour the area, looking for the ring and missing weapons, or any other clues we can find out about these massive toadies!
"Yes, you're right, Star," I say, gasping at the sight before us. "We have to bury the dead. Let's stop and look for more clues before pressing on." I also roll for investigation.
It takes some time to dig shallow graves for the bodies - the swamp has precious little dry ground, and the water seeps into any hole too deep. Still, it's better than dumping the bodies into the nearest large body of water knowing they will be eaten by crocodiles or something. While doing this, your investigations find a body in the murky water - not a human, it is a medium sized, frog-like humanoid. Star notices several blue feathers tied in its necklace.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
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The hysterical woman’s friend nods and fills you in. "I am Irma, and this is Piann, Cromm’s wife. Cromm and some men had been out hunting when they returned to find those awful amphibian creatures raiding the hamlet. They slaughtered as many of the looters as they could, but the things retreated with their dead and as much of the looted items as they could carry. It was then that we saw Cromm’s only son lying dead, and Cromm and his men swore bloody vengeance against the marauders and left in hot pursuit in the direction of the Lizard Marsh." Irma confirms the direction the looters and Cromm's party went - it shouldn't be hard to follow!
DC13 Nature or Survival to recall info about the Lizard Marsh:
This tangled mess is the home of several otherwise rare creatures. The most significant of them are the lizardmen whose ancestors are said to have ambushed the boy whose actions gave Daggerford its name. There are also known to be a number of other creatures, like bullywugs and dinosaurs in the Lizard Marsh, including some nasty carnivores. The proximity of the lizardmen to humans has increased their level of civilization to the point of using shields, warclubs, darts, and javelins. It is rumored that some of the lizardmen have been equipped with metal weapons by various evil influences at work in this corner of the world. However, these weapons tend to rust in the swamp because the lizardmen are unable to take care of them properly, so they are rarely any more potent than a club in a lizardman's hands.
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
6
Survival Roll: 14
Nature Check 6
(What's the party doing? I'd like to take this chance to ask you to make a post each day as possible - specifying your character's actions and thoughts. Feel free to describe scenes! I prefer to have at least half of a group agreeing on a particular course of action before I write up the next scene. Remember, the DM only describes the environment and the results of your actions. Your characters are free to do whatever you wish - I won't railroad you, but may strongly suggest you consider, or reconsider, an action. Of course, as adventurers I expect you'll want to keep going out, but the party has a say on which ones you choose and how you approach any situation. =) Thanks!)
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
Irma and Piann’s story makes my blood boil! I can truly relate to them, having some awareness of having everything taken from you… but that’s a tale for another day.
I’ll lead the way into Lizard Marsh. Let’s follow the trail Cromm and his men made (clearly they had no thought of trying to hide where they were headed!) I’m going to go ahead of the group a bit as I am quite stealthy and feel like I can get a good lay of the land. Keeping my short bow handy, I’m hopeful not to immediately run into any dinosaurs, bullywugs or lizardmen yet until I scope the area out. My friends are staying together, just 30 yards back in case we need to mount a full-on assault. It would be great to see Cromm and his men standing victoriously around a pile of dead lizardmen, but I don’t hold out much hope of that.
While I do not have a ranged weapons such as a bow to bring the wrath upon the cowardly lizard scum. I do have my trusty dagger of despair at the ready to dispatch any of these creatures we encounter. While not as crafty at staying concealed asl Star, I am pretty decent at using stealth to slink my way into the marsh following Star's lead.
Before I step out I ask Fawn "Hey aren't you supposed to be the woody nature person, this is your moment to shine there chief. Let's do this thing!"
Stealth roll 9
I follow Star Sunflower and Edward into the marsh, following the path Cromm and the Lizardfolk made. Seeing that Star has her bow out, I also take out my crossbow, loading it with a bolt.
I follow the party into the marsh, being careful to scope out my surroundings so I know if any Lizardfolk are lurking in the shadows. I do an investigation check to see my surroundings.
Investigation: 12
Into the Marsh
Entering the marsh is like entering another world. It is thick with lush vegetation and alive with the incessant whirring and clicking of insects, reptiles, amphibians, and other…bigger…creatures. Reeds grow as high as a man on horseback, making long distance viewing impossible. The flat terrain is occasionally broken by a hillock which rises above the reeds or pools of stagnant water green with slime and fronds. Since Cromm was not trying to conceal his passage, you have little trouble finding and following his trail. You may easily ride the horses along the path, or you may go on foot; either way, you must move in single file. (Assume the marching order is Star, Fawn, Aooer?, Edward?, Syllin? Is angelisa ready to go? She can be in the hamlet and run after the party, looking to help avenge or find a friend/relative...)
DC13 Nature:
You recall that most marsh denizens are equally comfortable in the water as on land, but probably stayed on the path because they wouldn’t want to risk losing their loot in the swamp.
DC15 Survival:
You notice a strange set of tracks mixed in with Cromm’s hunting party and the frog-like tracks of the raiding party. These tracks are quite a bit larger and make a deeper impression in the mud.
DM rolls: 5 2
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
I think the marching order is good as you suggested. Star, Fawn, Aooer, Edward, and Syllin. With the terrain and the passage as you have described it would make sense that we would ride along the path as well. (I will make my rolls and respond accordingly)
DC Nature 8
DC Survival 6
As we are meandering down the path as much as I would like to remain focused on the task at hand, my mind is drawn back to how exciting this adventure is. As I reflect on this (inner dialogue), I am working through some tunes in my head, I mean I have never seen a lizard person before.... What rhymes with lizard? Did Cromm do something to provoke these creatures,? Or are these creatures just in it for the money? I can understand that, but those poor people that died surely were worth more than the money or treasure these lizard creatures have taken from them. As I ponder all of this I ask Syllan, Have you ever dispatched one of these Lizard people, if so, how did you do it?
My rolls:
Nature: 19
Survival: 9
I answer Edward by saying, "No, I haven't fought a Lizardfolk before. Though, I do remember learning about them before. They like both the land and water so they could have strayed from the path. But, I don't think they did. After all, they don't want to lose their loot.
"Has any here fought them before?" I ask the rest of the group.
Nature: 10
Survival: 10
No, I've never fought lizardfolk.
Massacre
After another half an hour in the swamp, carrion birds rise from the trail, frightened by your approach. Pushing through some tall weeds, you come upon the remains of a fight. Dead men and horses are sinking into the mud on both sides of the path. Across the path is the dead body of an immense Giant Frog, the legs of a human still protruding from its mouth. The livery of one of the dead men identifies them as the baron’s party. Looking over the bodies, you find the baron, thoroughly dead and partially consumed. The baron’s signet ring, reputed to be magical, is missing. Several of the men are missing weapons.
A successful DC10 Survival check spots frog-like tracks leading off into the swamp. Failure means you don't know for sure which path to follow... You may also investigate th area for further clues if desired, or press on!
DM rolls: 5 4
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
Oh, this is not good! I'm going to provide both survival and investigation checks. I think it's a good idea to scour the area, looking for the ring and missing weapons, or any other clues we can find out about these massive toadies!
Survival: 7
Investigation: 20
Dudes, I see where the toadies went. Let's look around here and see what other clues we might find here, and Syllin might want to bury the dead...
"Yes, you're right, Star," I say, gasping at the sight before us. "We have to bury the dead. Let's stop and look for more clues before pressing on." I also roll for investigation.
Investigation: 18
It takes some time to dig shallow graves for the bodies - the swamp has precious little dry ground, and the water seeps into any hole too deep. Still, it's better than dumping the bodies into the nearest large body of water knowing they will be eaten by crocodiles or something. While doing this, your investigations find a body in the murky water - not a human, it is a medium sized, frog-like humanoid. Star notices several blue feathers tied in its necklace.
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?