"We are are happy to help," I reply. I take the orb of direction. "Thank you for your gift. We will definitely use it."

You continue on, but have lost the trail of the attackers. After another 15-25 minutes, you find yourself on a path which follows the edge of a large hillock to your left. To your right is water as far as the eye can see, and it looks deep. You have noticed some small movement in the brush uphill of you. Suddenly, you are looking at a band of hidden lizardfolk who are looking back at you. They are heavily armed, and wear baldrics of red-brown pelts. The lizard men raise their weapons, but do not attack. 

I am not sure if this will work or not, but here goes. I raise my empty hands in a slow and non threatening manner. Speaking very slowly and intently in the common tongue, I look at the lizard man and think is the leader based on physical appearance. I say, "Good day, we come in peace. We mean you no harm. Do you know anything about the attack that took place in the village a short distance from here?"

Initially, I thought I would saddle up next to Edward, mustering all of my considerable charm.  However, second thoughts enter my mind as I look at the group of lizards. Instead, I decide to sneak up the hill on our left and hide, with my bow aimed just in front of Edward in case things go south.

Stealth: 28

(Will wait for Annabella or AwesomeDawg to see if they have any actions before making my next post =)

A large lizardman steps forward to talk with the you in broken common. "No attack hoomans. We trade, no raid." he states emphatically. One of his followers jabbers to him in lizard speech, then the big lizardman tells you that he has just been informed that the Blue Feathers might be responsible. "Blue Feathers no like hooman. No fight with Bonesnap clan," he indicates his group, "but bad for us if hooman come in swamp to cut and kill."

We humans want to trade with you, we do not want to cut or kill. Do you know where Blue Feathers is? Would you help us deal with Blue Feathers? If you do, I can get you and other humans connected to begin trade often. 

Persuasion 10

"Go deeper in Marsh. Find old stones. Blue Feathers there. We not help - we not stop either." The big lizardman makes a motion and most of the others disappear into the water or in the grasses. As you begin to leave, you hear a rustling and the leader speaks once again. "Take this one with you. He come to us three moons ago and we teach ways of the marsh. Now time to leave. He like you - not like us." From the dense weeds steps a...

(I'm going to add an NPC {non-player character} to your party. Please choose one of the following to join you! A half-orc barbarian; a tiefling warlock; or a gnome artificer.)

I think the half orc tank would be helpful, I am not sure what Star would like. 

(Welcome back, Edward and Star! If you are ready to start this adventure back up, this is a god spot to introduce your sidekicks. At this point, you have free reign to introduce anything in any way that makes sense for the story. Maybe one of the lizardfolk warriors, or the shaman, decide to accompany you. Perhaps you make a good impression on a crocodile by giving it food and playing a soothing melody (or both!) that make it follow you like a pet. Maybe you come across a survivor of the Baron's hunting party, who pledges his service to you if you exact revenge on the frog-like creatures who slaughtered his friends. As long as the sidekick complies with the link I sent in the OOC thread, and you can think of a good story for how it joins you, you can use it!)

The other man is a human warrior named Jimbuck Tooey (Thug in the Monster Manual)  Jimbuck worked as a bodyguard for Cromm. He was out with the party and was feeling a bit queasy. Hibiscus Harry (another member of the party), suggested that Jimbuck eat a marsh plant known to help with stomach issues. Jimbuck trusted Harry and ate the plant. Little did Jimbuck know he was allergic to this plant. After a few bites Jimbuck’s stomach pain increased. The pain continued to worsen. The party decided it was best for Jimbuck to return to the villiage. They offered someone to escort Jimbuck back, but Jimbuck refused this offer. He did not want to weaken the party further because of his illness. After about 15 minutes Jimbuck began to hallucinate and passed out.  The lizard men found him and nursed him back to health. They planned to return him back to the village when they passed back that way.  Jimbuck is aware of the demise of his friends. He wants to join up with Star (possible identity change coming) and Edward to enact revenge. Jimbuck wears leather armor carries a menacing looking mace with notches on the shaft and carries a heavy crossbow. Jimbuck tries to speak more intelligently than he is. Often, he uses the wrong words when describing people and events.

How do you do? My name is Velvet Elvis – go ahead, get it all out of your system now. My mom was a fan, what can I say?  I come from a small village outside of this place called Daggerford. How did I find myself here? Well, that’s a story for when I’m roasting some fine wild boar over a nice campfire some evening.

Anyhoo, I’m an expert scout, the human part you can see clearly. I came upon this sick character, Jimbuck, as the lizards were fixing him up after his bad ‘trip.’ Despite my name, I am a bit ‘outdoorsy’ and can help you all find food and folly, if you know what I mean.

If you’ll have me, I’d love to find the cretins who killed Jimbo’s friends. My leather armor is solid, and I’m good with my shortsword and longbow. I can also find us some tasty dinner meat along the way (small game is me favorite as it really tests my shooting skills).

What say you?

The group wishes the lizardman farewell, collects their new companion, and sets off once again into the swamp. After another hour or so trudging through muddy flats, clouds of tiny black insects, and plants with sharp, jagged leaves that will saw through your flesh if you aren't careful, you see an ancient stone temple rising out of the water ahead. Although parts of the building are crumbled and overgrown, overall it remains solid. When you are about 80 feet away, you see a strange, frog-like humanoid atop a giant frog and perched on a stone pillar to one side of the temple. It seems distracted - it is looking inside the wide open temple entrance rather than performing its duties as a look-out! 

After observing the scene for a period of time. I observe the guard to ensure he is focused on the temple activities. Once I am convinced he is not paying attention, I use my cat like stealth abilities to move to the base of the first pillar on the north side of the stairwell. Once I am there I take notice of the guard and also of the activities that are occurring within the temple. 

Stealth Roll 21

Perception Check 10

 With equally amazing stealthiness, Star moves quietly to the south pillar, with bow in hand trained on the giant frog.  Glancing across to Edward, I see him there, but silently chuckle at the jagged leaves stuck in his long, matted ponytail.

Stealth Roll: 9

Perception Check:  14

Well, I guess we're going towards this thing. Yippee, let's have an adventure! 

Stealth: 9

Perception: 9

Edward is able to quietly move close to the giant frog and its rider, but he ends up in a spot with poor visibility and so can't see or hear anything of use in the temple. He can't help but hear both Star and Fawn fumble their way forward, splashing water and knocking over branches as they go! 

Unfortunately, the guards also hear the commotion - you now have its full attention!

 Round 1: Fawn - Edward - Star - Velvet - Bullywug - Giant frog - Jimbuck

I move behind the second column and fire at the giant frog with my shortbow.  As I scurry to the column I say quietly, "dang the one roll" but no one understands what I'm talking about.

Damage:  7

Extra attack: 1

Then I hide.

Attack Roll 9

My damage roll was off is should be only plus 4 corrected damage roll 6

Jimbuck will move to the area on the map and attack with his Heavy crossbow. He moves swiftly but it looks like he is laboring, it is rather comical but astounding at the same time. 

Attack: 9 Damage: 7

Shrugging my shoulders in disgust at my noisy companions, I tell my friends to wait until I thunderwave this frog before you move. I don't need you all being injured by my awesomeness. 

I move to the position on the map and cast Thunderwave the enemies must save versus constitution to take half damage. 

Thuderwave Spell 11

The Scout Elvis has two attacks as per the Monster Manual (I hope this is right). He moves to the his position on the map place on the map and attacks the giant frog with his bow and arrow. As he fires his arrow he makes a whoosh sound as if he is making the noise of the arrow in flight. 

To Hit 10

To Hit 6

Damage 6

Damage 9

(Roots - you forgot your Attack roll! In the Dice Roller (the black square with three dots in the toolbar) there is a Combat tab - use that to roll attacks and damage all at once. Also, I'm counting Velvet as a female, solely because the portrait is a girl  ;-) Will wait for Fawn's action to post the summary, as she gets the first one.)