The night goes by and each of you awake to the smells of the kitchen below.

Haznut groans as he gets up from bed, making it before he starts to put on his adventuring gear and packing his chest. “Saidou, you get any good sleep down there?”

"There aren't many morning I consider starting the day with cider...  Good thing we thought to buy some yesterday."  Kon furrows his brow, "We did buy some yesterday, didn't we?"

In reply to Haznut Ingut (msg # 2):

Saidou emits a low, drawn out exhalation. Not quite a sigh, but carrying far more raw and unfiltered emotion.

"Just give me about another three hundred and sixty minutes, and I'll be rested up friend."

About a minute later, Saidou would pull himself from under the bed wearing naught but his pants, belt, and pouches. Dragging himself to a chair, he starts fumbling with the laces of his boots with half-open lidded eyes, continuing to make noises akin to an agitated badger in the process.

In reply to Saidou (msg # 4):

“Aye, looks like you’ve slept about as well as I have. Strange that is. Tell me, do you plan on not wearing a shirt today?”  He finishes getting ready before grabbing his chest.

“I most certainly didn’t purchase any cider, never made it out to the farms myself. Kon, did you sleep alright?”

"I might just stay fuzzy today if it's going to be as cold as last night.  Don't really care what the villagers say."  Kon wipes the side of his vulpine face to clear his eye and just stretches the skin in the process, roughing up the fur on his face.  Following the example of others he gathers his equipment and prepares for the trek.

Vostiun yawns, stretches, and sits up.

"You know, despite the villagers, this is a pretty nice inn. Very cozy," He says as he starts getting ready for the day and trek ahead of them.

The black cat at the foot of his bed yawns and stretches before sitting up and watching everyone bet ready.

Samara dons her sturdiest gear and straps on every bit of armament she has.
Yawning, she packs her things without her usual gaiety, and stays with the others on the way to breakfast.

Saidou grumbles and mumbles as he looks at the nearest light source, takes a half step sideways, and reaches toward the bed. A ruffled purple blouse, launched into his hand, gets struggled with by clumsy fingers and lidded eyes, continuing to mumble and grumble the entire time.

As he pulls on his cowl, Spirit seems to ascend Saidou's leg like a squirrel fleeing from canine demise to find its perch hidden in his hood. "Kon, you know the group's rule about questionable areas. I'm not allowed to play with my shadow, Samara isn't supposed to talk about The Noodle Incident, and you're not supposed to go out with whiskers. If we want our rooms when we're on our way back through, we all should be cautious about ... leaving another impression here. We don't need them accusing you of being Fey, they're already thinking I am."

With an exhausted sigh, Saidou drags his hands down his cheeks, mutters something again about 'going out with whiskers' and pulls out his knife looking like he's about to give himself a no-sleep shave.

Someone should probably tell him that it's a bad idea.

Samara perks up at the thought of Kon staying fuzzy, "Oh, that would be great, Kon! We could match!" She then makes a face at Saidou, for putting the kibosh on that idea.
*you know, would that be all that bad? there's no market, no bath, and the people here are total jerks!"
This message was last edited by the player at 18:05, Fri 16 Dec 2022.

Kon's head seems to unhinge in half in a gaping yawn, slowly morphing back to a human face with remnants of creamy white hairs along his chin and jaw and orangeish mutton chops.  He stretches a little more and scratches at the side of his face and head, the last of his excess fur vanishing.  "Oh no, how horrible it would be if the people thought that the outsiders were nothing but trouble.  Oh wait..."  He hefts his pack and lumbers ponderously toward the door and down the stairs.

The party heads down to the commons and is served breakfast by Hetrik and Jenny. The mood seems to be a bit more relaxed than the day before, at least from the demeanor of the innkeep and his staff. The breakfast is rather sullen from the perspective of the party as the lack of sleep and the knowledge of a long trek through swamp and forest ways upon weary muscles and minds.

The local farmers that are seen harvesting in the orchards watch you leave though with less interest then when you arrived, the morning mist blankets the town and deepens the chill from the night before and soon isolates you from seeing anything but the trail and trees immediately around you. The few sounds that do reach your ears seem to come wither far in the distance or right next to you, insuring that you are kept on edge as you walk.

The pace is slow as Haznut trudges under the weight of his chest and by midday progress seems to have been far less than expected. The mist has all but burned away, still clinging to the denser tangles of brush and wood. The trail has begun to fade indicating its lack of use and the swamp taking back what it once owned. For now, you all sit on a relatively dry spot just off the trail and snacking on your trail rations, getting a bit of rest before dragging yourselves back onto the trail.

At the rate you're traveling, it is going to take another day-and-a-half to reach the supposed location of the ruins. Feel free to discuss how your characters wish to proceed and let me know in the Discord once you have a plan. If you have any OOC questions you can ask them in the Discord as well.

We are currently in 'EXPLORATION MODE' as far as the game rules are concerned and the appropriate 'ACTIONS' are available.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:33, Sun 18 Dec 2022.

Though he at least attempted to keep up appearances over breakfast, the ordinary ball of cheerful energy has wilted to keep pace with the fading of the mist.  He now sits against the shady side of a rock. His chin has dropped to his chest, and a strip of dried meat (Half-eaten) dangles loosely from his lips.

Sure does suck to have a bog average Con score and a morning full of sensory ghost paranoia to add to the mental exhaustion, am I right? :V  Saidou is just ... resting his eyes.

Kon will engage in the Scout action while the group travels

Vostiun glances around and mutters some words as he draws crimson runes in the air with his fingers.

Sargon naps on a rock nearby.

Vostiun will FOLLOW THE LEADER as we travel. Whenever we stop to take a break he will cast Detect Magic.

Samara says goodbye to Hetrik, Jenny, Pel, and anyone else who is there, thanking them for their hospitality, and wishing them blessings from their Goddess.

On the way out of town, Samara waves at the farmers they pass.
(Is that a smile or a snarl?  Only those nearby and able to read Tail-Swish know for sure)

At break time, Samara gobbles a few bites of food, then naps till it is time to proceed, offering to carry Saidou on her shoulders if he likes.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:49, Mon 19 Dec 2022.

Haznut enjoys his breakfast, thanking his hosts, before getting up to leave with his companions.

Haznut will use the 'Search' action, switching to 'Defend' if he thinks he spots anything potentially dangerous, alerting the group quietly.

Saidou is keeping an eye out, sticking close to his friends and using the Detect Magic exploration action to keep an eye out for any magical auras as well.

Spirit will not be tethered to his master's shoulder today, and is likely hopping andbouncing through the underbrush cheerfully. He was asked to keep an eye out for any tasty snacks or fresh predator tracks, and is keeping an eye and nose on the path with (survival) and (Perception).

After you've finished your lunch you once again set out to find the ruins. It isn't long before the trail is all but completely obscured by the swamp making travel that more difficult. Trudging through sucking mud, shallow pools, and the occasional wall of vines and undergrowth isn't quite the same until later in the day, when the mists return to soak your clothes and spirits.

The growing chill in your bones is a constant reminder that you are no longer traveling as fast as you would like, even given the slower pace of a cautious advance. The early evening fog increases the sense of your isolation from the rest of the world, while greatly increasing your beliefs that you're are certainly being watched. The unfamiliar sounds of the swamp do little to appease these feelings and accurately determining where and how far these sounds originate from is nearly impossible at times.

Travel has been reduced by half again due to Difficult Terrain.

Kon returns to the party with a grim look on his face, "I think we have a problem ahead.  While not strictly bandits, I'm certain there are goblins about."  Looking back the direction he came from, he grumbles, "I saw a large dog, maybe a wolfhound, nailed to a tree up ahead and covered in crude markings.  I'm not sure which tribe, but there's no questioning there are goblins about.  Stay ready."

"Does anyone know anything about Goblin culture?"

"I know a bit.  I mean, I can't tell you what games they play or their secret food preferences, but this wouldn't be the first time I've had to be wary of them."

Vostiun sighs and says, "No, I don’t even speak the language."

Jason do I know the general state of goblin relations in the region? I know some places have a thriving assimilated goblin population. I'm guessing Ustalav isn't one of them

Anyone that is at least TRAINED in the following skills can make a skill check:

Lore (Lepidstadt): Information regarding goblins specifically in that city.

Lore (Ustalav): General Information about goblins in Ustalav

Lore (Goblins): Specific informationabout goblins and their societies.

Society: Very general "common knowledge" about goblins

Religion: Very general "common knowledge" about goblin religion
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:43, Fri 30 Dec 2022.

“Goblins? Culture? Ha! Don’t make me laugh!” Haznut jokes, noticeably out of breath as he keeps up.

Saidou has read all about goblins, from his favorite visual novel series about an armored knight who slays them... Society roll!

23:02, Today: Saidou rolled 7 using 1d20+6 ((1))

"I have been told that my goblin accent is virtually nonexistent and crisp, quite fortunately. If we come across any, I will be able to communicate with them, hopefully with as much vigor as one of their own speakers. They have quite a questionable culture, let me see what I can recall about dogs..."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:15, Sat 31 Dec 2022.

Vostiun thinks for a moment, "Well at least we don't have any dogs."

There's a soft mew of agreement from his backpack.

Lore: Ustalav about goblins within the country.
06:07, Today: Vostiun Hephaurio rolled 23 using 1d20+3 ((20)).
This message was last edited by the player at 01:08, Sun 01 Jan 2023.

"Oh, Saidie, that's great! We will count on your experience, worst case, I guess we can offer them food, that usually goes a long way in establishing a relationship, right?"
This message was last edited by the player at 23:51, Sat 31 Dec 2022.

[19:08, Today: Elde Kon rolled 17 using 1d20+6.  Society (Common Knowledge:  Goblin)]

"Technically I'm canine, but I think they'll find me a bit harder to nail to a tree if they try."

The party pauses for a group think exercise.

In reply to Elde Kon (msg # 29):

"I don't think you're going to have any problem, Elde. I'm pretty sure that the reputation for goblins hating dogs is a myth, as I have spoken with a number of respectable individuals of green nature in Lepistadt who seemed appalled by the insinuation that they hated dogs. It's a good thing that we don't have any horse or pony with us though, I seem to recall those being attack-on-sight in Goblin culture. Maybe they associate horse with maligned goblin-slayer knights?"

Saidou shrugs slightly in response to Samara, and seems thoughtful for a moment. "We don't have a lot of extra food to spare to start discourse, nor do we want to start a fight if the goblins would otherwise decide to mind their own business. Best to avoid and leave them be  if we're able. Was the totem dead ahead, or was it off to one side for us to avoid, Elde?"

"I think this is the Water Head tribe. They have a weird fascination with frogs, giant frogs, and boggards and often work with them. They are also particularly sadistic."

Saidou looks alarmed as he turns to Vostiun and narrows his eyes. ""Particularly sadistic tribe? And you know that off of what, exactly?"

Saidou advances about 10 feet, clearly hoping to get his companions on the trail. "With all due respects to you, Vos, this is the exact kind of speciesist talk that I was warned about before. I mean really, it's a swamp, so they have to be fascinated with frogs and boggards? One dog, possibly as innocently done as being hung for dried meat, and we jump to an assumption of some fabled 'water head' tribe that is 'particularly sadistic'?"

Saidou has not left his air quotes without accompaniment, and has added gesticulation to enforce the quotes over 'Particularly Sadistic'.

Look, I know who rolled the 1, and who rolled the 20. But Saidou absolutely does not know! XD

Kon crosses his arms, "I'm going with Vos on this one.  The way that corpse was mutilated, just enough to let onlookers know what they're in for but not enough to make it unrecognisable, it's clear they want people to know they mean business.  And not the economic kind.  It's very clear it was not 'hung to dry meat'.  Particularly with the paint slathered across fur and muscle alike."

Samara looks back and forth between her companions, "So, odds are this group is not particularly nice. That certainly tracks with the villagers' responses - not that we resemble Goblins much at all. So, seems like the best course is to avoid their territory, at least until we have good reason to invade."

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: Om al ul. K ec dina seasleen. A evmo rered esspr. SONCONINE!.]

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."