The rank odors of the Brokenveil Marsh mingle with the musty aroma of a fleet of gargantuan reptiles as you traverse the rickety rope bridges above Urzin. This strange goblinoid village moves slowly and endlessly through the swampy Xhorhasian wastes, its structures set atop the massive shells of horizonback tortoises. Urzin’s monstrous residents pay you little heed until you approach the large, ramshackle hall of Ogre Lord Buhfal II—a towering structure of haphazard timber and scrap. 

The din of the swamp and the hushed chatter of Urzin’s residents is muted as you step through the folds of a heavy leather curtain into the chamber beyond. There, the reek of the marsh is quickly replaced by the favorable scent of roasted meats and spiced wine. Orc attendants gesture you toward a litter of dingy furs before the seat of Buhfal II, who allows you to settle in before his baritone voice issues a welcome.

“Eat. Drink. But be wary, for the empire has come to Xhorhas, bringing damnation with it! Our witch, Bol’bara  journeyed to the foothills of the Brokenveil Bluffs to the west, where she regularly forages for ritual components. She never returned. For her rescue I shall pay you 200gp. You shall have the aid of one of our scouts, Morgid. I would suggest you start near the recent dwendalian fort near the bluffs.”

A tall hobgoblin steps forward and bows. 

Thalza, a slender drow elf, walks into the chamber. Long silvery white hair flows down only on the right side of her head, the left side is shaved close with an intricate geometric design. She wears a tight corset of leather armor, short swords sheathed at each hip. Each of her footfalls barely making sound as she steps. As she passes the display of roasted meats, she grabs a thick slice, and takes a glass of wine from the offering attendant. She finds a seat before Buhfal and listens to his welcome between bites and sips of her feast. She nods at the mention of the Dwendalian fort partially in agreement, but also in affirmation of their possible fate. They were to be heading into the enemy's den. 

"Morgid, well met. What is your knowledge of this area and our destination?"

(Sorry...my post posted twice for some reason)

An especially squat Deep Gnome with a squished up nose like a hog's, parts the leather tent flaps and stands a few seconds at the entrance, taking in his surroundings. After a moment, he walks forward and offers a salute he hopes is worthy of an Ogre Lord before making his way to the serving attendants. They have to stoop low to allow the Gnome to peruse his choice of meats and spiced wine.

With a full plate in hand, Borbin waddles over to the pile of furs and plops down a respectful distance from his soon-to-be companions. They all look like real warriors. Every once in a while the lord is talking, Borbin's eyes are drawn to the reflection of dancing flames on bare steel. He thinks of his own puny shortbow on his back and wonders if his "benefactor" didn't set him up on this mission to get him killed.

He listens to Thalza's question. It's a good question. He lets Morgid finish answering before asking his own:

"Hail Morgid. Borbin Glitterglance at your disposal." He shifts the plate off his lap and stands up only long enough to bow. "Did anyone speak with Bol'bara the day she left? Did anyone see what she was wearing or anything she habitually wears?... Rings?... Earrings? Anything to identify her by? And does anyone know what she was foraging for in particular that day? In my experience, these little details are the ones that solve the case in the end."

Stumbling into the large tent Wolfgang is seen. A noticeable thick brace made of strap leathers and a splint can be seen on his right leg. His attire is simple a fur coat over a chainmail, a long sword which he uses as cane. Bowing before the great Ogre Lord he taking a seat. “I am honored that you would summon me Lord Buhfal.”

He takes a wine glass and some food as the others talk to Morgid. Seeing the other hobgoblin Wolfgang shows his respect to him and his fellow companions “Wolfgang, soldier of many companies and cleric of Earthis. I look forward, contributing to our squad.” 

Kazrac, a hobgoblin with scarlet skin, charcoal hair, and vermilion eyes like fire, enters with heavy footfalls from wearing his heavy chain mail under a darken hide tunic, with the mark of the Black Arrow Legion painted in ash-white. His other equipment includes: a black-iron arm-gauntlet with pauldron for his shield-arm, a charred leather vambrace for his sword-arm, a harden blacken-wood heater shield bonded in iron with the symbol of Bargrivyek, a twin pair of handaxes secured to the small of his back, a longsword in a polished scabbard on his hip. 

He marches before the seat of Lord Buhfal II; with a mighty metal clang of a chest thump, shouts, "Kazrac, 7th Vanguard of the Black Arrow Legion! Reporting as summoned, Lord Bufal II." After his greeting is acknowledged, he quickly looks at the others and makes a quick two-chest-thump salute to the other hobgoblins. 

Narrowing avoiding an "especially squat" plate of moving meat (Borbin),  Kazrac makes his way to the feast of meat, wine, and... YES! BLOOD-GROG!!! Grabbing a bowl of blood-grog he then begins hacking off a leg of roasting mutton. 'Charred black and bloody! Just the way I like it!', just as he notices the looks of the orc attendants. 'A Black Arrow without their Blackbow???', they must be thinking.

Siting down on the furs between the drow female (Thalza) and the hobgoblin (Wolfgang). He listens to Buhfal's words. When Buhfal mentions, "Bol’bara" he repeats her name with familiarity; loud enough for his companions to hear.

He remains silent waiting for his companions to finish their questions.

Morgid nods to all of you, "I've scouted out some of the marsh in the past. There isn't often much reason to go in there other than occasional hunting. I've seen the empire's fort from a distance but kept my distance. I ain't no warrior in search of an early grave."

Buhfal replies to the gnome, "She said she was going into the swamp for her ritual components. She has been an elder since before the Sunbreaker took over. None would question what she was looking for. She is a darker skinned goblin who has earrings of bone and wraps her arms with crocodile skins. I doubt there are many other goblins in the marsh though." 

Wolfgang ask Morgid a question about the marsh. “Is there anything specific in the Marsh lands that we should be wary about, besides the empire? Should we prepare for supplies such as repellent and such?”

“I’ve fought the empire before on a larger scale but it’s been awhile since then.” Wolfgang rubs his leg as pain begins to naw at him. 

"Well there are all sorts of monsters. Some frog people. Bugs aren't too much of a problem. I've seen some flying creatures near the bluffs."

“Hmmm, well I think I’m fine for the journey, does anyone else have any other inquiries?” 

Kazrac asks Wolfgang, "I have yet the honor of meeting the empire in battle, unlike yourself. What forces can we expect them to muster?"

Borbin gulps the last of his wine and hands the empty plate and cup to an attendant while Morgid finishes answering his companions' questions. Standing, Borbin doesn't make it much higher than his companions' knees. He has the typical look of a Deep Gnome, with rocky skin like a dry and cracked mudflat and eyebrows like furry caterpillars sticking up past his scalp.

When Wolfgang asks for further questions, Borbin pipes up in his nasally voice, "You said you've seen the fort, Morgid. You said it's relatively new, right?... do you know about how many troops there are? Or, alternatively, how many tents? What the buildings are made of? Does it have a walled perimeter? I'd like to be prepared in case Bol'bara is being held there."

After this series of questions, Borbin appears satisfied with the answers and looks ready to depart when his companions are.

“Basic units Calvary, bowmen, front troops but that was when the skirmish first started. Don’t know what this fort will have I can only assume, my friend.” 

Morgid thinks for a moment, "It has one large structure and a wall.  I didn't see much more than that. The wall isn't too tall. Never got close enough for a real good look though. Those empire soldiers are no laughing matter."

Thalza having taken in the answers to her companions questions, feels ready as she will ever be for the venture into the swamp. 

She finishes her plate, stands and walks it over to the attendants. 

"I think it best if we see for ourselves. If Bol'bora is being held, we will find her and bring her back." She gives a slight bow of her head to the Buhfal, and begins towards the heavy leather curtain. 

Borbin takes in the answer from Morgid, nods his head slowly, and then says, "I agree with the Dark Elf. It looks like there's nothing left for us to do but go there." And then he follows her into the daylight.

"Seems the gnome and the dark one are eager for battle!" Kazrac laughs with enthusiasm.

He downs one more bowl of blood-grog and turns to Buhfal. He salutes, "By your command, Lord Buhfal. It shall be done."

Turns and friendly fist-bumps Wolfgang's shoulder, "Honor and Glory awaits us, comrade."

Making his way to the exit he chants the same mantra before every mission or battle, "By Bargrivyek will, Honor bound, by Glory Crowned. For the Legion."  

Kazrac follows the others into the light of day.

As Kazrac eagerly joins the others out, Wolfgang sighs as they begin to walk out together. He just got comfortable, “Very well, it seems the other’s are ready.” Taking his time getting up Wolfgang will bow before Lord Buhfal II. “My lord worry not, we shall find Bol’bora and bring her back safely.”  

Wolfgang walking using the long sword as a cane, he walks across getting close to the exit. Turning back to Morgid “Morgid you are leading  us there, yes?” 

You all climb down the sides of the turtles and turn towards the marsh. Morgid nods to Wolfgang, "Aye I can navigate us through the swamp. I am no warrior though." He pulls out a crude map of the marsh. 

(You are all in the upper right hand corner where there is a turtle. You destination is in the lower left. How you get there is up to you.) 

“Fair enough friend, that’s all I can ask. If thing get to heated just book it and come find us later.” Wolfgang says as they catch up to the group.

When Morgid pull out the map, Wolfgang sees the mushroom area “Any pickable mushrooms there? That could be a point of interest if Bol’bara was getting ingredients. Well guys what do you think?”