Let's search the area of signs of the Children, either recent or otherwise.

Rosie nods agreement, while secretly praying the survey team is A.) quick & efficient at their job, and B.) able to defend themselves well if it comes to that.

I need one of you to roll against difficulty 2.  Your choice of stats, depending on how you are searching, though I think Wisdom or Prudence are the most likely to make sense.

07:06, Today: Geezer Ridire rolled -2 using 4 Fudge dice.  Wis roll.

Geezer's first impression is that there's been no unusual activity here.  Then he pauses, reconsiders and looks more carefully.  He realizes that it actually looks like something has been here and has made an effort to cover its tracks.  Good enough that you can't find anything obvious to follow (apart from the river itself, of course), but also just enough for you to realize the fakery.

“What do you see Geezer?”

“They’ve been here,” he tells her.  “Look, here and there.  See where they covered up their tracks?  Now if only we could figure out where they went.”
This message was last edited by the player at 07:21, Sat 23 Dec 2023.

The survey team is studying the maps they brought with them, comparing what they have to the actual terrain here.  After a few minutes one of them points out where the map indicates a slight downward slope (too subtle to notice when you're standing on it, but clearly indicated by the contour lines) where water might flow more easily to collect at the bottom.  As best as any of you can tell, it does seem to at least sorta-kinda correspond to the spot where you are gathered right now.

Geezer asks if they are already at the very bottom of the slope, or if they could go even lower.  As usual, he is seeking the absolute dregs.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:50, Fri 29 Dec 2023.

They show you on the map where it could get lower.  And that does seem to take you back in the same rough direction as the surprise swamp you encountered yesterday.

“Well Geez, ready to sink even lower?”

"Damn right," he says, then instructs their guides to take them to the lowest point imaginable.

Rosie follows, privately hoping they all live to regret her question.

It doesn't take long for the ground to start getting swampier - and, once again, no such swamp is indicated on any of the maps your party has brought.  As you continue some of the soldiers start raising questions about the Children's guard patrols or other potential threats.

You guys can decide what you want to do here, but I will attempt to bribe you with a fate point if you ignore the warnings - it's Full Speed or Nothin', right Geezer?

Geezer tells them they’re going all the way… but he wants to figure out a plan.  Assuming there are Children’s guard patrols in the area, how could they set a trap for them?

I wonder if we could find a way to change the color of one of our skins to at least temporarily match the color of one of the Children in charge and lead them into an ambush? Anyone know a spell, scroll, potion or sorcerer who could do that?

Or one of us could volunteer to be seen and run, leading them into a trap, maybe even just a pit? (Presuming we can dig one around here in the swampy mush.)

There's no one in town capable of controlling magic, but they do have paint in various colors.  Almost definitely something that could match a Sea Children skin tone.

There is general agreement that leading their scouts or guard patrol or whatever into an ambush would probably be good, but a lot less agreement about who would play what role.  It seems none of the soldiers here are all that eager to be the bait...

Geezer seems skeptical that the Children would really be gullible to mistake someone in disguise for one of their own, but he supposes it’s an idea they could try.  But only if someone wants to volunteer as bait.

Anyone who is close in size to the Children? They certainly won’t believe someone who isn’t the right size.

OOC: Was there something odd about their size?

I don't think we ever said anything specific about their size, so let's make it official now - they are about the same size as humans, though they tend to be a bit more lithe and less bulky on average.

Does anyone around here fit that description?

Is there anyone in the survey team (or anyone period) that could be swayed to volunteer? Someone very greedy or maybe not very bright?

Rosie is able to identify Larsen Olrek as the soldier who best fits the bill, physically and mentally.  But it'll still take a bit of effort to convince him to put himself out there.

Difficulty 0, but still needs a roll.  Guile seems like the best fit for how you phrased it there, but if you want to change your approach then you could maybe justify a different stat.

Would courage be appropriate for the roll?  Perhaps my courage could inspire Larsen to great deeds.