Episode 2 Scene 1 The Journey North

"Your Highness,, we have heard of a tower in the marsh, but rumors of hidden edifices are as common as mosquitoes. Thank you for confirming its existence. The fisher-queen you mentioned is unknown to me, but I have respect for all beings who show openness. My culture deems orderly exchanges between peoples as necessary for improving the lives of all."

"I humbly request more information to help us succeed in our task. Is this door, for example, next to a volcano or in the frozen tundra? Either instance involves different preparations. My companions may have questions as well. Do they have your permission to join the conversation?"

"Well what I can say is that it reside somewhere upon an inhabited jungle isle and there is no frozen tundra that I am sure of. Further I do not think the mountains are volcanic or if they are at least not overly active in a way that would cause danger in and of themselves. And yes we are allies now, with a shared purpose, as such your friends can freely speak."

Once there is a lull in the conversation, Egret - who has been hovering by Shump while watching the Dark One and attentively listening to the exchanged words, - steps forward. His expression is slightly tense, as is his grip on his weapons, but he smiles pleasantly enough at the lady and her brother, before addressing his dwarf companion with a meaningful look.

"Brindel, my friend, before we ask our questions and share our thoughts, do you think we can talk privately first?" He inclines his head in a respective nod towards the mist-clad lady. "If our new acquaintances have no pressing matters to attend and are willing to wait a few minutes, I think we need to converse as a group, if only to find a vector for our questioning later. There are some matters regarding this change of plans that I believe we need to discuss."

"A reasonable request," Brindel replies with a single nod.

He turns to the Mist Lady and points to a distinctive tree some distance away but within line of sight. "Your Highness, with your permission, my companions and I will group together privately near that large tree with the four parallel branches. We will return with decisions and questions."

"To be honest, if you are in our lands we can hear your words, standing where you are or moving some distance to another islet will not change that. Further unless you are wishing to plot against us or disrespect us, which I am sure you are not, what harm is it that we here your words? Still if it makes you feel better we can retire and return later."

"My friend asked for privacy, so I would like to accommodate him as much as possible. We appreciate your offer. May we request your return with a simple call of 'Your Highness, we are ready?'"

"As you wish then and yes that statement would be fine," with that said the Mist Lady's form disperses with a swirl becoming one with the mist once more while the Dark One's form just drops seemingly rejoining the dark waters from whence he came.

Brindel turns to the party. "First, thank you all for your cooperation. I did the best I could to protect us. What are your concerns and questions?"

Egret skeptically watches as the two magical beings disappear, before sighing, tension bleeding away from his posture. "You did an impressive job negotiating with them, my friend." The druid smiles, but then concern darkens his features. "But I'm hesitant about the idea of running on an errand for these two. While I don't mind a detour, and it would be no hardship to assist them..."

He pauses, not sure how to voice his thoughts on the matter. "We don't know anything about who they are, or what hold they have over the swamplands. And if I recall correctly, our mission for the Southbridge Village is to find out where the undead are coming from." He tilts his head towards the dispersing swirls of mist left in the air the lady floated before. "Who is to say these two aren't the reason? They seem approachable, but I wouldn't say trustworthy. And the topic of undead wasn't brought up at all, unless the abominations the lady mentioned were meant to refer to the zombies."

"Our primary goal is the undead." The tiefling absent-mindely touches his hand, remembering the battle from a few days ago. "I believe we should at least question them if they know anything about it. Perhaps ask for assistance, if you think they aren't tricking us and can be trusted to an extent." His voice lowers to a murmur. "I can't say that I'm inclined to trust someone who declares they are the owner of the land and demands immediate payment from anyone who steps upon it, knowingly or not, without providing a proof of their position..."

"Egret, your counsel is valuable as always. Knowing more about the origins of the zombies and skeletons is vital to our survival in the marsh. Our two new allies might have some information to share about swamp fever as well, which I imagine would be a great help for your people, Shump."

"Haelga, Lex, any thoughts? I trust them to keep their word, but there are too many vague details for me to be comfortable. All we know is that we need to go to a jungle island, close a door, and possibly deal with protectors."

Haelga continues to grip her longsword’s handle and says, "I trost ju, Breendl. Vat ju theenk es good."

Shump, the green wall, seems a more attentive when he hears his name spoken. Appears too many words have been flying about. He does however put his big huge hand over Haelga's gripping hand on the longsword's handle and pats it. He again says Door? Seems he was trying to figure the talk about the door and failing cause everyone wasn't talking about it.

"Yes, Shump, the lady from the mist wants us to find and close a door on a jungle island. Since you have some familiarity with the marsh and its history, do you have an idea of what door she is talking about?"

Shump for a Jungle island history check

Shump looks puzzzled, Islands? Which does take much usually. And he adds No Jungle islands.

"Thank you, Shump. Defining what we don't know is as important as determining what we do know."

Brindel turns to Egret. "It is true, rulership of the marsh by the lady and her brother is an unknown. But so is their powers. I chose the path that seemed safest for the future of the party." He smiles and continues, "The validity of a ruler is determined by those who choose to follow, is it not? It is a philosophical discussion I would enjoy having in the future."

"Oh, and we shall ask about the undead when she returns. Do not let me forget, as I almost did."

Egret inclines his head in agreement. "Indeed. Let us hope that it's not our opponents who follow these two, and we aren't sabotaging ourselves by accepting this mission. It would be inconvenient if we unwittingly got ourselves stranded on some island far away from here... And seeing as our esteemed guide isn't aware of any doors, I'd like to know about what exactly is this door, and why they need it to be closed. But I believe you were going to ask it already."

The druid looks at the place where the Dark One was silently standing not too long ago and murmurs - quieter, merely thinking aloud: "I'm curious about their powers. So far we are aware of teleportation - or perhaps concealment, although their offer to make a portal reinforces the former. The plants spoke to them, too, and the lady claims to be aware of anything that happens in the swamps..." He pauses. "If she refuses to talk about the undead, it would be the most suspicious. I wonder if her brother is always so silent."

He shakes his head to clear his thoughts. "I told what I meant to, so if you want to call them back, I have no objections."

Brindel nods at Lex,"I'll ask," then turns to the marsh where where the Mist Lady appeared. "Your Highness, my party's discussion is concluded."