Into the Hool

[GreyWolfVT]

Roan nods his head in agreement with Fahima "Yup, an' any other lizardfolk we encounter likely'll confuse us wit more o' them head huntin' folk, an' attack us on site."

[Monsieur Rose]

Cassius

"Where are you supposed to bring the heads? Do you have a name or place?"

He turns to Tree Folk. "Have you heard of this?"

[Darklin2]

Sai

Damn. And we left two head back at the trading post. That's 100 gold. Tell ya what. If you lot live to tell about it there are two lizardman heads back at the trading post. Just remember where you hear it and maybe we let you live.

[Spearmint]

Gordansk

"I could use a share of fifty gold." he mumbles.

He scythes away some of the still grasping vines and roots.

"I'll cut them out one at a time, then you can disarm them and dismiss them as you like."

How many heads have they already gathered?

If Count Tydan, is pro-treaty with lizardmen and the other, this Count of Eor, anti-lizardman than we are in the middle. I don't want a bounty on my head.

[hedgeknight]

"Where are you supposed to bring the heads? Do you have a name or place?" Cassius asks.
"B-back to our camp; it's a ways north of here, but not too far. Green Rock is the name of the post," says the same man.
But the big talker finally speaks up, "Grenden. He be the main contact at the post. He is the Count's man and is in charge of dishing out the coin fer...well, you know." His words trail off as he looks up at Snake Bite. The lizard man is clearly agitated, and ready to spill blood.

Cassius turns to Tree Moss. "Have you heard of this?"
The old trader shrugs. "Just rumors mostly. Never encountered actual lizard hunters to me knowledge. I know where Green Rock is though, and I'd venture so does Snake Bite."

While Roan and Fahima are worried these revelations may complicate things for their mission, Sai and Gordansk are thinking about the potential in gold. Still thinking about it, the doom priest begins cutting the brigands loose whereupon Vilana quickly disarms them and commands them to kneel with hands over their heads. The priest isn't so sure she won't skewer a few for target practice. She hasn't forgotten their bold, lustful sneers and jeers toward her and Fahima.

Actions?

[Spearmint]

Gordansk

"I won't counsel just cold blooded murder, even of brigands. But I don't trust them not to harass us further.

Tied up only leaves them at the mercy of the swamp critters."

He has a think. Caw, "Caw, ca-caw-caw." his black bird calls. It seems that the Raven Queen priest listens.

"Great idea. Take off their boots and belts. They can wander back to Green Rock barefoot and in their under garments. Shamed perhaps but they go with lives intact. Any protest, take their tongue out. Snake-bite looks a bit hungry."

He taps waves his ceremonial sickle at one brigand, gesturing how he might fillet his tongue.

"Boots and pants or sweetmeats and tongue? What will it be."

Gordansk: Charisma check vs 6 [1d20]=2 reactions [1d100]=72.

[Rex]

Fahima

Fahima remains silent and watchful, staff sling at the ready.

[gurusql]

Zan

Zan continues to watch around for other threats.

[GreyWolfVT]

Roan chimes in "Leave em their trousers. Take their weapons an boots. Maybe it'll humble em a bit. Eh? What yah think?"

[hedgeknight]

Vilana shrugs. "Works for me. Are we going to follow them back to Green Rock or turn south and try to find Sakatha's den?"
The Elven woman scowls at the men as they begin to unlace their boots.

Back in the saddle this morning!
Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving or nice weekend for those not celebrating.
Post actions for going forward. Northerly toward the brigand camp or southward in search of Sakatha.

[gurusql]

Zan

"I am wishing to continue with our original target, so South."

[Spearmint]

Gordansk

Votes for going south and leaving barefoot brigands to their fate.

[Rex]

Fahima

"Yes, we should go south."

[GreyWolfVT]

Roan "Aye, south. Just dun tell them fools." he indicates the fools that tried to attack them.

[Monsieur Rose]

Cassius

The Archer nods at the decision, still keeping an eye on Snake Bite. "We continue on."

"Tree Moss. Let Snake Bite know that we are not supporting this killing, we just need to continue on. If he could delay retribution until we complete our journey, maybe we could find a way to help."

[hedgeknight]

Greyhawk, 586 CY, Readying 19
Hool Swamp, Cool, Windy, and Sunny

Cassius
The Archer nods at the decision, still keeping an eye on Snake Bite. "We continue on."
"Tree Moss. Let Snake Bite know that we are not supporting this killing, we just need to continue on. If he could delay retribution until we complete our journey, maybe we could find a way to help."

Snake Bite hisses and snaps his jaws...then draws a horned knife, grabs the big talker's right ear and slices it off as slick as a ribbon! The man howls and hops around in extreme pain as the lizard man pops the brigand's ear in its mouth and chews slowly.
The lizard man swallows and raises its knife again and the brigands take off at a run back the way they came. Snake Bite sheathes its knife and looks at Tree Moss. "Ka-ka-ka" it says, making a deep grumble in the back of its throat. Then leads the way south, as the last of the brigands hobbles off barefoot disappearing into the swamp.
"What did he say?" Vilana asks the old trader.
Tree Moss smirks. "He said it tastes like chicken."
Vilana bursts into laughter, then covers her mouth trying to stifle herself. Tree Moss chuckles and that makes her laugh harder, snorting and stomping her feet as she falls in line behind Fahima and the others.

The morning passes as the group heads south...sort of...with the swampy trail moves back and forth, winds here and there, cuts back and then turns south again...at least they think it's south. The air is foggy and thick with a wet, somewhat stagnant smell. There are splashes now and again as they walk along, hoots and calls too and they occasionally see a small bird or a shaking limb in the fog where something had been sitting moments before. The path turns to the left and the swamp opens up to reveal a large expanse...which stops the companions in their tracks. For off in the distance they see a wagon and figures walking in front and behind...a strange procession, silent and beautiful, yet disturbing. What to make of it?

simone-marani-simone-rimini-lorenzo-lanfranconi-concept-14.jpg (359.83 KiB) Viewed 316 times

Actions?
Marching Order (Unless Changed):
Snake Bite
Roan
Cassius
Fahima
Vilana
Tree Moss
Gordansk
Zan
Sai

[gurusql]

Zan

Zan quietly says "We should just let it pass."

[Rex]

Fahima

Whispering, "Perhaps they know something?"

[GreyWolfVT]

Roan nods his head "Aye, we can hail em an just ask fer some information."

prior finding out what Snake Bite said about the ear "Aye, like dirty chicken, I'm bettin'. Them blokes didna look very clean."

[Spearmint]

Gordansk

"Before this expedition is over. I'll take both of his." he whispers to Caw, concerned about the lizardman's brutality and cannibalism. Even in show, it is not something we should approve of or rejoice in.

I mean actually eating human. A brigand's ear now, what next? A tongue and sweetmeats as I threatened. And who's? A brigands, yours, mine?

Seeing the procession he remarks. "We are becoming less than men the deeper we go into this swamp. And so are they. Unhallowed going to an unhallowed place. We should leave them to their fate and keep to ours."

He has a rather morbid opinion, probably based on there being very few settlements around here and they are not going in the direction of Waycomb.