Prologue: The Jolly Wanderer

Rhys isn't able to prevent the crew from marching to the frog people's lair, raising up a big stink and announcing their arrival with the subtle grace of a bolt to the face. So much for the element of stealth. Reckon the list of dead will get a set of new names by day's end.

He can't guarantee their safety—the potential involvement of a big cat adds further complications—but the outlander will surely do his best. If all else fails, his priority is to keep Rada alive. He's not done with her, not by a long shot.

"Korrin is setting the pace, y'all. Stick together and don't go wandering off." he calls out, watching as the halfing disappears into the swamp. After a certain amount of time has passed, Rhys follows behind - his crossbow readied for any dangers.

While slightly disoriented by the number of people giving commands around her, Melianne nevertheless moves to follow the group, sticking by Solra's side and carefully watching the ground for snakes - venomous or bone-crushing - while subtly cheering up the folk following them. It might be chaotic with so many strong personalities around, but my, she would be lying if she said it didn't tickle her fancy to be among so many strong people. It is a shame that there is a threat of the frog people looming above them, otherwise it would be a much more pleasant trek in good company.

Still, the good company part is here at least, and so Melianne utilizes it fully. She remains pretty much glued to Solra, following after the dwarf like an especially sparkly bodyguard and doing her best to present an optimistic front. Despite what Solra said, Melianne is not an inspiring kind, not truly, she thinks. But she can add weight to others' words by passing orders with a honeyed tongue, and make the dangerous mission seem like a peaceful walk by playfully dancing around the roots and pits in their way. It is all a show in the end, not so much different from one she performs on the scene, and if it can help...

Only once the group is more or less organized - as much as it can be, - and has a steady walking pace, Melianne gets closer to Solra to resume the conversation. "Darling, you seem to be a natural leader! Though I don't think our crossbow-wielding friend appreciated everyone's enthusiasm," she giggles as she tries to walk backwards to look at Solra while moving. "I should find Annika and Rada, and we'll have a proper mission council!"

Korrin leads the group along the tracks he found the day earlier. While you are at the front of the group Rada stays in the back with a watchful eye.
The only sounds you hear are the sounds of your footsteps and croaking. An awful lot of croaking.
Rhys notices that while frogs and toads usually tend to hide on the sight of a humanoid, the amphibians living here seem to just watch you and croak as you go by.
Melianne calls out a few orders but most of the group are more concerned with keeping their footwear on while pulling the feet out of the mud after each step, than with listening to Melianne. Nevertheless they do their best on following you.

Korrin notices that the footsteps are increasingly intersected by other footsteps originating from frogmen too. He slows down his pace and soon some kind of frog people camp comes into sight.
He beckons the group to stop and Rada joins you at the front.
Now look at this. A whole lil' frog town. Cute... she mutters
The frog camp consists of a lot of huts, nearly all of them constructed out of wicker work. Most of them are constructed at the ground level, a few are hanging in the treetops and a rather large building made out of wood and wicker work is standing on stilts in the middle of the camp.
Just as you turn to each other in order to discuss a plan three of the frog monsters, each riding a giant toad, are leaving the camp and coming right at you.
You all (presumably) ready your weapons but before the frog people are in range the middle one dismounts raises its hands and walks slowly at you.
It walks at you until it's about 30 feet away from you. Unlike the other frog people you encountered it isn't armed and it's not wearing armour.
Instead it's wearing... a dress. A red silken dress, clearly not tailored for frog people. A silver necklace is wrapped around the wrist a few times and on the head it's wearing a pair of undergarments so that the eyes are poking out where the legs would usually fit through.
With a loud croaking voice it announces
*Croak* I am Kruux, herald to the great emporer Cuurtinoax XXVII, ruler over the Galicroax swamp empire, collector of many riches, finest and wisest judge, knower of the secrets of the *Croax* Bullywug. The toads *Croak* announced your coming *Croak* to Cuurtinoax XXVII and he sent me, his humble servant, to greet you.
You are invited to *Croak* pay your respect to the emporer and pay the tribute he deserves for your trespassing of his great empire*Croax* As long as you treat the great emporer with the respect he deserves *Croax* your lives are save, so *Croax* don't let him wait
The frog monster bows down until its nose touches the swamp and points its arms at the camp

"Well I'll be... Never seen nor heard nothing like it. I think someone should go see what this is all about, there is too much I want to see right here." Korrin looks around the camp, taking it all in.

"Excuse me, Kruux? Did I say that right? Would it be possible for you to show me around a bit? I have a million questions.

Melianne watches the... herald... with astonishment and curiosity that his approach certainly warrants. Seeing as the frogs back at the river's shore had shown no sign of understanding human speech - neither Rada's, nor her own, - it is somewhat disturbing to observe that this one can not only understand, but speak the common language. Almost without an accent, too.

"Ah, Korrin, before you steal this dapper gentlefrog to show you the lovely sights of this settlement, may I interrupt with a teeny question?" Melianne carefully inserts herself between Korrin and the frog, sending the halfling a quick look which silently asks him to wait. "As much as we'd all love to meet your glorious emporer, it would be terribly crowded with all of us in here - but if we send a representative, we'd want them to bring a fantastic gift - as a sign of good faith, on behalf of us all! You, I see," she eyes the frog's questionable attire, "have a wonderful taste in fashion. Would you advice us on what the great Cuurtino- the emporer enjoys?"

At the constant chatter of the frogs and toads along the way that just sit and watch she checks to see if they will continue to do so if she shoots a few of them, specifically a few of the larger frogs as frog-legs are good eating and she is not all that worried about pissing off frog-folk since she believes they are going to be killing some more of them soon enough.Upon discovering the village of froggers riding toads she readies her crossbow and she maintains that aim upon the one approaching. Then is a bit surprised, not by the foppish frog but the reaction of those with her. She grinds her teeth as kowtowing is not her bowl of tobacco in fact she has never liked it. As such she speaks up over her crossbow which is still trained upon that foppish frog, "Okay tell you what, there is a whole bunch of stuff back along the shore-line that you are more than welcome to have and give to your emperor but I would point out we would not be here trespassing had your folk not taken members of our group prisoner. So how about we do this instead you return our folk to us unharmed and we leave peacefully. I am not much interested in meeting with your emperor nor getting a tour of your village nor actually staying in this swamp any longer than I have to but I am not leaving with out our folk and if I have to kill every frog in this swamp to get our folk back I will do that."

Rhys is skeptical of the frog people. In normal circumstances, Kruux would have made for a comical sight if not for the implications that it had taken its clothing from captives.

"Solra has the right of it. Have you all forgotten they tried to kill us but a day ago?" he says aloud, not caring if the froggies heard him. Unlike the old lady, though, he has no intention of going down in a blaze of futile glory. He glances side-to-side, and behind him - worried about being surrounded.

"I haven't forgotten," Annika says, rising to her full height and advancing on the frog-herald. "Who destroyed our boat, and where are the rest of our people?"

Melianne barely resists the urge to groan as every single one of her companions - except Korrin - starts advancing towards the herald frog with accusations. Do these people even know what subtlety is? Why let the opponent know what you want to get right away, especially when said opponent is blissfully unaware? They could've gotten in without any noise, found the prisoners and kept the element of surprise...

"These people would get destroyed at the easiest gambling table, I swear," the dancer murmurs in frustration, while side-stepping around Kruux to block his potential escape route, her hand moving to rest on her rapier's grip.

Whenever Solra shoots a frog the other amphibians around it try to hide from her but come out again as soon as Solra proceeds to walk with the group. Solra may have tried to shoot another frog immediately after and for a short while the croaking is certainly quieter but never ceases completely.
The frogs and toads that hide from Solra stop making noises for a while but you were basically surrounded by them, so that even when a few of them stopped the others continued croaking.
Solra managed to shoot seven frogs, each of them a bit smaller than a human fist. Maybe a bit of a snack but not enough for a full meal
The frog rises its head again and looks at you with its big eyes that are poking out from the undergarment.
Only the finest treasures are good enough for Emporer Cuurtinoax XXVII! He especially likes gold, silver and jewels but he is also a keen enjoyer of fine arts and artwork
Rhys doesn't see any frog people at his flanks or behind him but he spots some of them waiting behind the herald and his cavalary escort.
It's difficult to says how many but Rhys guesses that there are about three to five of them.
Approved ;)

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Kruux seems to be taken aback by Solra's harsh words, opening and closing its mouth. Just as it raises its hand in order to respond it is met by Rhys' and Annika's accusations while they stride forward.
As most of you advance on the herald at once, the rest of your "army" joins in, striding forward towards the herald screaming and with the swords held high up into the air.

The herald tries to turn on the spot in order to run to its escort which in turn is advancing on you. Kruux wants to hop away but Melianne sidestepped the herald. Kruux wants to hop past her but slips out and lands flat on its belly.
The two toad riders hop into the herald's direction and waive their spears in a threatening manner.

Kruux turns on its back and begins to scream *CROAX* We didn't sink your ship! Strange human was it!*CROAX* *CROAX* Came with stinky cat! *CROAX* Your people are alive! *CROAX* Just had to pay tribute but are in town! *CROAX*
Rada, who previously witnessed Solra's attempts at catching some frogs and toads bumps her with her elbow If yer lookin' for a snack, I'd let it scream sum more. Heard their legs become more tender this way.

"Wait, Solra, wait!" Rhys calls out, lowering his crossbow, "If we cause a ruckus, those froggies might harm the captives."

He takes a step back, holding one hand up with the palm toward the frog-people as a gesture of peace. Kruux is a pathetic sight, scrabbling in the mud with its stolen undergarment, but at least he's open to dialogue.

"How about this? You bring one of 'em back here as proof, and if they can vouch for your peoples' hospitality - we will go to meet your leader?"

Melianne glances warily behind her shoulder, at the aproaching spear-wielding frogs. Spears aren't the best matchup for a rapier even if they are smaller than usual, and she is also not a particularly good fencer no matter what. So Rhys' intervention is very welcome, as it allows her to back off a little and get herself on the side of the group again; before these frogs get the wrong idea and try to skewer her tender backside. That would be unfortunate, and will certainly ruin her clothes.

"Strange human with a cat?" She muses aloud, watching Kruux's panicked flailing as her outlander companion tries to negotiate with the amphibian. "Korrin, you saw paw tracks back at the shore, right? Did they lead here as well? We might have another opponent lurking around then..."

The dancer shakes her head as if she tries to shake off her seriousness, and waves towards the frogs. "Let us not fight when there is other danger around, gentlemen! I'm sure we can resolve this peacefully, over a cup of tea with the emporer. I'd love to talk with a fellow appreciator of fine fashion and art, while the rest of us are sight-seeing in your beautiful village..." She sends a meaningful look towards Solra.

Shedinn can't believe he let himself get captured, what would Behamut say, that I was to gullible, to polite,..So What maybe he is, but he be damned, if he let the frogs harm these people..if only he could find a way out; He would show him just how polite he can be.

Solra barely does not shoot one of the toad riders but if they do not stop threatening Melianne they are going to be skewered frogs, "Tell them to back off and stop threatening Melianne or the first frog I shoot is going to be their Herald and if they accidentally injure her I will be sure I kill that Herald," she pointedly changes her target back to the foppish frog on the ground and takes a few steps forward so it knows she means business.

Korinn sheathes his weapons and turns to face the mob advancing on the floundering frog. Stepping to place himself between Kruux and Solra and Rada in particular.

"Hold yer horses, we have been met by a herald of this Emperor Cuurtinoax and we are apparently in their Empire, perhaps he speaks true that they did not attack us."

"We have been met peacefully and I did not see the cat's tracks leading this way. This a refined reprasentative of the emperor, just look how distinguished "HE" looks in the bloomers he is wearing. Surely we can parley with these reasoning beings."

Solra did not like how things were turning. She by no means felt that these frog folk were all above aboard but had it not have been Korrin she might have shot him for getting in the way as it is her honor would not allow that. She uncocks her crossbow stowing the bolt and hanging the crossbow over her shoulder once more. Then she unlimbers her axe and mace as she moves up to stand next to Melianne. As she passes Korrin she points her mace at him and says, "Do not make me regret this Korrin, I will protect you but if you risk your life needlessly I may have to cancel the debt I owe you due to sheer folly on your part."