Kon shakes his head, "Well, two problems with that.  First:  We don't know how big their territory is.  The corpse I saw on the tree might have been the outer edge of their territory and keeping on won't have us cross into it, or we could be at the heart of it and we're in for a fight if we encounter them.  The second..."  He cracks his knuckles as he begins to shift into his kitsune form, the cracks reverberating along his body, "Nobody likes goblins, they try to bully everyone, but leave them too long and they become a problem for towns in the area.  As...  Welcoming as they were back there," he thumbs over his shoulder toward Avelton, "I imagine they'll find plenty of issues with goblins invading.  So, in short, we just keep going and deal with them if they show up."

"So keep going and try and be somewhat quiet about it?"

"Maybe I'm wrong, but isn't a totem like that a warning?  Would not passing it be a potentially hostile act in and of itself? And if we get into a fight, who can fight well up to our knees in slop?"
Samara surveys the vegetation in the area to see if an arboreal route is at all feasible.

The trail, such as it is, is already DIFFICULT Terrain. The environment on either side is bordering on IMPASSABLE with occasional breaks of DIFFICULT.

"Totems, markers of any kind really, just define boundaries.  They're claiming they own the area next to a path travelled by many for years."  Kon looks down at the trail in obvious disrepair, "Such that it is, anyway...  That's problematic in itself, but they're also just warnings to stay out of their territory.  I don't recognise their claim to this path.  They can keep their warning, but I'm still walking this path."

Kon walks after Saidou and calls back over his shoulder, "Besides, it's going to be raining soon and I'd rather get closer to our destination rather than huddle on the side of this trail wondering if goblins are going to come in the night because we're camping a minute or two from one of their boundaries."

Vostiun shrugs makes to follow.

It only takes a few more steps before a disturbing sight coalesces out of the fog, something, a large animal perhaps, is nailed to the trunk of a tree ahead of you. As you near it becomes clear that it once was a very large dog, a wolfhound perhaps. It has been brutally savaged and is suspended from a broken branch, low on the trunk, that punctures through the beasts eyes. Blue paint or stain has been smeared across its head and crude markings stain its fur with the same color. This would be the totem Kon was speaking of.

The markings on the fur read; [Language unknown: Sa n teck. T amewi ncof oneionortent. Ei virme er lewi. SAPONG!.]

Haznut groans when realizing just how difficult the path is getting for everyone. “Alright lads, I know you’ve been slowing down for me, but do your best with the fog to keep an eye on Elde, I don’t like how even with all of the difficulties we’re traversing, we’re seeing definite signs of goblins presence, the goblins must be numerous to have any resemblance of control here.”
This message was last edited by the player at 19:47, Fri 06 Jan 2023.

Saidou glances at the totem, and goes more pale than normal.

Motioning quietly for the others to keep an eye out on the surroundings, he's taking a few moments to mentally process what he's looking at as he quietly murmers to himself and no one else in particular.

"This is reader/you, we are scariest... we make you swim... And a cheer to Gogunta. Why would goblins have anything to do with that demon toad Gogunta and her boggards..?"


"We should ... Make best speed from here forward. Anyone lugging their shields or armor stowed away for ease of movement needs to _not_ have those things stowed... I think our friend here was right when he identified this group as the Water Heads. I dont know specifically of them, but ... I don't want to, either."

Haznut is main and off hand equipped with flail and shield. Sword is sheathed, no peace knot.

"It wouldn't be a good idea to travel too much longer.  I think we've got maybe an hour of good travel ahead of us before it starts getting dark.  The rain should arrive tomorrow, after noon some time as well.  So, things to consider.  We probably want to settle soon and start early to arrive as far ahead of the rain as we can, if possible.  This path isn't going to be any easier to traverse while we sink into it.  And if you're worrying about goblins, us being immobilised waist deep in mud is only going to make it easier for them."

Kon draws his main gauche when Haznut starts arming himself.

“Aye. It would be in our best interests to find a suitable location for setting up some sort of camp before the sun starts to set. I’d be weary of what goes bump in the night in these parts.” Haznut decides to look around periodically for any suitable place to setup camp.

Today: Haznut Ingut rolled 5 using 1d20+4.  Survival to search for nearby places to setup camp

"We might want to spend the remaining daylight finding a suitable spot?"
Samara is looking for a reasonable spot to  rest in the tree branches.

Vostiun follows along. He leaves the decision of where to camp to those who hopefully know better.

Everyone, except Haznut, that is looking for a suitable campsite, please make a Survival skill check.

Or if you wish to assist, please roll a Nature or appropriate Lore skill check.

If you have any Feats, Spells, or any other non-skill that you think will help, please post it and why you feel it will help.

While he didn't do much camping in the wilderness Vostiun did spend a lot of time to find hidden places to sleep as a child. He will offer whatever advice he can from that experience.

(It's not much.)

00:22, Today: Vostiun Hephaurio rolled 6 using 1d20+5 ((1)).

[Elde Kon rolled 11 using 1d20+4.  Nature Assist.]

Kon tries to relate some stories about exploring the forests to inspire the others in their Survival searches

Samara attempts to recall stories of Qadira travelers in similar situations. (07:07, Today: Samara al-Khafif rolled 25 using 1d20+5.  Lore: Qadira - stories of Qadira travelers.)
"Hey, guys, what about this spot? Haspuset the elder wrote in her journals that Prospect is important for a spot to rest and recuperate in, so that enemies may be spotted at a distance." Samara points at a spot that she thinks matches descriptions in the stories she's been told.
GM Edit: Removing Survival check because you can either assist OR do your own search.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:35, Mon 09 Jan 2023.

Saidou pulls a sleepy ferret from his hood, wiggling it a few times for it to wake up and start using him as an athletics course. "Good afternoon, Spirit! I'm sorry to be waking you before you spend the evening chasing squirrels and juicy beetles, my friend - But we've had a bit of a setback in an area. " Saidou pulls a dried berry from his pouch ration, and plays with his familiar's neck fluff as it chews. He continues, speaking to his familiar as he would a fellow companion.

"Our catfriend thinks she's got an idea for us to rest in the area. We want to make sure it's safe, or find someplace similar. You've got the best nose of the 7 of us, my friend - And goblins are not a scent I wish to find on our camp site."


Saidou sets Spirit on a tree branch, pointing out the signs that Samara recommended to look for, and adding his own criteria from his studies. Sturdy trees well rooted to sling hammocks from above the moist soil, ground cover to conceal their site, and some of the local predators to keep an eye out for sign. It would be Spirit's job to find something suitable on their path.

I will be rolling Nature to assist Spirit. Spirit will be using Survival and Scent to search for and rule out camp site candidates. Going to roll the checks now.


09:26, Today: Saidou rolled 22 using 1d20+4.  Spirit's Survival Camp-finding.

09:25, Today: Saidou rolled 24 using 1d20+4.  Saidou's Nature Assist.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:27, Mon 09 Jan 2023.

The five give one more furtive glance at the goblin warning before they continue on. Eyes dart from the trail to the surrounding forest, the darkening surroundings making the difficult trail far more dangerous. Elde Kon decides that, discretion being the better part of valor, the party should start looking for a place to bed down for the night.

Knowing full well they are now in goblin territory, Haznut begins looking for a suitable cave entrance, cursing even more as he untangles his shield from the vines and brush for the umteenth time. Vostiun, obviously flustered by the surroundings as well, lends his voice to Haznuts search. The two quickly get carried away in their discussion of the merits of a good cave.

Elde Kon and Samara begin trading popular stories about travel from their homelands, while Saidou pulls out his familiar and sends it out to find a place for everyone to hide. Something in one of Samara's tales strikes a flicker of knowledge in the fetchling and he uses that kernel to instruct his familiar on a more detailed search.

After another hour just as the sun completely retires from the sky, Spirit returns to the group.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:20, Mon 09 Jan 2023.

Saidou turns to the others with a grin. "Spirit's found us something! Careful, fellows - We don't want to leave much of a trail to lead things to our camp." the Fetchling almost chirps out, now mirroring the eagerness of his familiar. Spirit twists and spins on the tree branch with a sort of happy impatience at Saidou trying to pick his way between the branches to follow.

Saidou will be at least trying to Avoid Notice during this, to reduce signs of his travel. Avoid Notice.

The trail that Spirit takes is remarkably easy to follow. However, for those that are larger than a shred of spirit essence congealed into the form of a tiny fur covered quadrupedal snake, the "trail" is anything but. Making any sort of progress requires the judicious hacking and cutting through the tangled vines and undergrowth while avoiding the many stagnant pools.

Luckily, the upcoming camp site isn't that far and the construction of a new trail doesn't take that long. A small rise, clear enough to lay bedrolls and surrounded by dense foliage to block any sight of a camp fire greets the party. Of course the sodden wood will make for a poor fire if one is attempted.

"Oh! How cozy!  Thank you Spirit, this is perfect!" Samara will scritch the critter the way it seems to like.  "A rug would be nice, some curtains, maybe.  I might retire here as the Swamp Witch, telling fortunes to those desperate enough to seek me out."  Samara claims a spot and settles in, digging out some apples.

"Fortunes and favours will have to wait, for now we should busy ourselves with getting to sleep so we can get up as early as we can."  Kon eyes the horizon again and looks at the midnight blues and waning oranges on the highest clouds, "I'd rather make as much progress as we can before the rains start tomorrow."

He drops his pack and proceeds to unfurl his bedroll off to the side of the small clearing, "Everyone drop your stuff off here.  Haznut and Saidou, see if you can find any dead hanging branches which might do well for a small fire so we can get some modicum of warmth in us while we eat.  Samara, watch our stuff for the time being and lay out rolls for us.  Vostiun, let's see if we can find some water close by to maybe boil.  We'll meet back here in 10-15 minutes?  Worst case, we'll just use some torches and our own water skins and look for stuff tomorrow as we travel."

Vostiun puts down his pack, stretches his back and sets to finding some running water. "Well it's not the worst place I've slept. I just hope the leeches stay in the water around here."