Prologue: The Jolly Wanderer

Giving Solra a knowing nod, Raskell turned his attention back to Annika whilst Rhys, Melianne and Korrin took to scouting.

"I... guess we don't," admitted the half-orc dourly on the subject of the missing crew. "I mean, we could head out there now, but..." he began, his voice trailing off as he looked to those around him once more. Beleaguered, waterlogged, and wounded as they were, he wasn't sure how else to sugarcoat the situation in an optimistic manner. How could he? Instead, he let the newly minted battleground speak for itself.

Not wanting to dwell on the prospect of what Phann and the rest of the Jolly Wanderer's missing members might be going through, the mud-spattered adventurer opted to change the topic. "I suppose I'll get to rustling up whatever I can while there's still light. Crates and planks, dry goods, and anything else that survived might come in handy," he said, his gaze again sweeping across those still present and raising his brow slightly. "Could go faster with a few extra hands."

"Right," Annika turns to address the mob of frightened survivors, and speaks in the voice of someone accustomed to giving instructions and being immediately obeyed without question.

"Okay, listen up! We're going to make camp for the night. Rhys and Korrin are finding us a good location. In the meantime, everyone needs to be gathering whatever we can salvage from the wreck, especially food and anything we can use to build fortifications. If you are wounded, come and see Solra. Raskell is in charge of the salvage operation, so follow his instructions. Look alive, people, we've got work to do!"

Annika can hear a few people in the mob mutter dismissive comments but within a few minutes of Annika's address most of them get up and either search for salvageable goods or go to Solra for medical treatment.

Most wounds are simple bruises and cuts that Solra has no problem in treating.

Korrin scouts the surroundings. Most footprints in the mud are pretty fresh and he can easily see where the frog people came from and that they led the survivors of the wreckage back the same way.
He can also find a tree that stands just right so that he can overlook both the survivors as well as part of the wooded swamp.

Melianne's lights are a great help and Rhys asks her to direct them to various positions in order to look for any suitable camp site. Unfortunatly though there don't seem to be any good spots for camping. After looking for a spot for a while they settle for an area between two trees where the network of roots make the ground at least a bit less muddy.

While you are all busy the sun goes down completely.

At the site that Melianne and Rhys chose for the camp Rada is trying to get a fire started but the absence of any dry wood makes it very difficult. Annika comes to help her and with a flick of her wrist a stream of fire leaps from her hand into the heap of wood in front of Rada, lighting it. Rada raises her eyebrows, nods appreciatively and goes off to help the others.

The survivors all collect at the camp site and show what they were able to recover from the wreckage.
-A crate of dry rations, enough to feed you all for a few days
-A bag with various gemstones and an amulet(2x obsidian worth 10gp each, 4x turquoise worth 10gp each, 2x onyx worth 50gp each, a silver amulett in the shape of a lizard worth 25 gp)
-A lot of wood that can be used to form barricades around the camp and keep the fire going
-A few daggers and shortswords

In the light of the campfire you can count thirteen people excluding you and Rada that are here.
One of them, a man with black hair that surrounds a bald spot on his head steps forward I just want to thank you in them name of us all. When those frog-things came we thought we were done for. Thank you so much. he shifts a bit uncomfortably and then asks Eh.. do we have a plan to free the others?

Korrin finds a tree that'd he is sure will suit his needs for an observation post to give the camp early warning of another attack. He calls down for a meal to be brought to him when there is time. So he settles in for the night, getting as comfortable as he can, because it will definitely be a long night.

In the meantime Korrin tries to keep his focus on the dark swamp surrounding the makeshift camp, as well as pointing out any trails that he had found to Rhys and Raskell so that they could also be observed and fortified on the ground, all the while puzzling over the other set of tracks he found and If he could figure out what kind of animal was with the human. Being as he only caught a glimpse of them before it got to dark.

Melianne spends almost all of this time following Rhys, accompanied by her floating lights and chatting at the man about her dancing routine, trying to keep her mind off the current bleak situation. She only leaves his side once, when out of the corner of her eye she notices Annika's little trick with the firewood; like moth to the flame - or rather, a firebird, - the dancer is attracted to anything that can make flames, and she watches the noble woman with a renewed respect after that.

Once the survivors gather around the newly founded campsite, Melianne drifts back to Rhys, offering sweet smiles to those she meets the eye of, but generally remaining silent. Yet her restless nature takes over pretty soon, and not wanting to listen to a serious discussion she jumps to her feet, gesturing vaguely to the tree in the distance. "Ah, I'm rubbish at making plans, I'll only get in the way. I think I will go and bring some food to our brave protector from Barrel Ranger Oar Society instead," she declares cheerfully and turns to leave the campsite, heading for the tree Korrin has decided to stay at. She doesn't bring any of the rations they found with her, instead opting to offer the halfling her own supplies. Who knows how they'll set up the rationing, so why raise the question early...

Annika isn't much inclined to listen to the miserable grumbling of those assembled around the fire either. Speculation about the fate of the other passengers, the threat of further attacks from frog people, or the prospect of trudging through the swamp seem to be on everyone's minds, and she can hear them heading towards desperation and panic. Better try to keep their spirits up.

"Come on, you sad sacks. We've got food, we're warm and fairly dry, and we've got people on guard to look out for us. Things could be a lot worse! Let's make the best of it, eh? Who knows a good tune? I picked this one up down by the docks..."

With that, she launches into the bawdiest, most inappropriate sailor's drinking song she can think of, encouraging others to join in with interjections of "Sing, you bastards!".

The dancer's aid is a welcome one, her chatter less so and Rhys only murmurs agreement at various points of the one-sided conversation as they search for better ground; however, her floating orbs prove key to securing a less exposed campsite as they stumble across a network of roots. It's better than nothing, but still makes for a dismal sight. He offers his thanks to Melianne along with a curt nod. As much praise as you can get from the weary outlander.

He sets about unrolling his bedroll and settling in for the night. With his crossbow clutched tight to his chest, and his backpack serving as a pillow - he tells those nearby, "Wake me up if anything's amiss."

And so, he slips into a deep sleep.

Reluctantly some of the people begin to chime in on Annika's tune but after the first verse all constraint disappears and everybody loudly sings 'The Tale of the Salty Mermaid and her Drinking Crew'
As such songs go everybody knows a new verse to the song and so you sing over 20 verses about the adventures and wrongdoings that the crew experienced in the various harbors it piloted to.
The solemn mood that reigned before is replaced by laughter and optimism. Everybody seems to be sure that tomorrow you all just march over to the frog people and free the other crew members. Whoever stands in your way will get 'the ol' one-two punch on the nose'.

After a good laugh and with a heart full of joy you all begin to prepare your sleep rolls. Tomorrow will probably be exhausting but you are sure that you can rescue all the others, no matter what.

Solra does her best to make sure everyone has been tended to to make sure to potentially minimize or eliminate any complications from the ordeal everyone had just gone through. Once the evening draws nigh she finds a good place to sit so she can keep an eye on the folk as well as the nearby error. She removes the heavy armor for the night but keeps the padded underlayer on just in case.

The night goes by uneventfully. Korrin and Solra keep an eye out for enemies but apart from the constant smacking sounds of the swamp nothing disturbs your rest.
Everyone gets up and helps themself to a portion of the rations for breakfast.
In the rising sun you can now see the crowd of people more clearly. None of them are armed or look like any kind of warriors.
After everyone finished their breakfast the crowd of people look around in a confused way and they seem to be waiting for any kind of input or command.
Rada uses a piece of cloth she found on the beach to clean her weapons from the mud that accumulated on them during her rest. Even though she isn't looking up, she seems to be aware of the situation and begins to talk in a rather low voice
A'ight, seems like we survived th' night. Any plan's on a rescue mission? Or will ya let the oth'rs rot at the frog people's lair?
The crowd of people collectively raise their eyebrows as Rada says the last sentence and look at you with concerned faces.

"Well we have a two pronged problem, we need to get these folks to safety and we need to rescue the others while staying in communication some how. Did we actually lose that many warriors when that ship went down sure would make it easier if had more able bodied fighter types? Still I do not think having the group wait here in the swamp while we rescue the others would be a good idea but not sure how we can maintain communication to know where to head to once the rescue mission has been completed. Anyone got any ideas or a pair of sending stones?"

"Does anyone have any clue as to where we are or how far we might be from these ruins we are supposed to be camping at?

He looks around for any sign of somebody knowing anything.

"What sank the boat? Somebody here has to know how far we had gone? The crew has made this journey before I would hope.

"I think we know who sank the boat. Frog people! We need to get our fellow travellers back, and who has them captive? Frog people! We need to get out of this swamp, and who's standing in our way? Frog people! There needs to be a reckoning. Who's with me?"

A good night's rest is the cure to a great many ailments. Indeed, he feels invigorated and ready to chase after the frog people. Rhys hungrily tears into a hunk of bread as he listens to the discussion. When there's a natural gap for him to speak up - he does.

"Time's a-wastin' the longer we talk. Might be they're dead already." he shrugs then raises a wry eyebrow at the rabble-rouser, "Anyhow, I don't see how heading deeper into the swamp gets us out, Annika."

He swipes his hands together, shaking off any lingering crumbs before continuing on.

"Reckon we should let Rada and these fellows arm themselves. Fortify this encampment while those of us willing to take the fight to their lair does so. If we aren't back by some agreed time, might be we are dead too, and they should take off for civilized territory."

Once again, Melianne appears at the meeting later than anyone else - but in her defense, she spent a good part of the night staying up to clean her waterlogged belongings, making sure that her instruments are properly strung and that her tinderbox and clothes have dried. Or maybe it was just an excuse, and in truth the dancer was terrified of going to sleep in a frog-filled swamp, in the middle of nowhere, by the people she didn't know...

Now, she slips behind everyone else, sitting down cross-legged on a dry patch of ground and listening to the discussion while twirling her hair. She had already grabbed a bite from her rations, preferring to do so alone, but the conversation seemed important enough to approach. Now, if only everyone else didn't look at her as often as the mercenaries when speaking about further plans... Do they think that she is qualified to be in a rescue mission? Or that she is a part of whatever hired force "Jolly Wanderer" had for protection?

When yet another of the passengers expectantly glances her way, Firebird sighs and shifts towards the closest of the yesterday's group, who happens to be Solra, in an attempt to hide behind her. Trying to justify the movement, she remembers what the dwarf have said and hesitantly offers: "Aren't the ruins just further down the river? We can simply follow it and wait by them, and once you rescue the captured folk you can follow the same way... Maybe my lights can act as a beacon in case we change the route." Melianne taps her chin in thought.

Solra responds to Melianne but it is more like she is talking to herself than to Melianne, "Yeah the ruins and the base camp are somewhere south of us but we have no idea how far nor what lies in between. Further we do not actually know who or what was behind what happened to the boat. I mean considering how weak those frog folk seemed, I highly doubt they caused that much water to magically disappear. So unless they have a powerful frog spell caster that just cast one spell and left his minions to collect the wreckage, we have some other unknown adversary which may just be in the direction of the ruins. Further we are going most likely need every able body with any talent, to help with the rescue if we want any chance of success. I do not like Rhys' plan but really all-things-considered there are not any other real options." She then looks at Melianne and says to her, "As for you my friend your talents could prove to be invaluable when it comes to rescuing the others that were captured so do not count yourself short." She gives a smirk, "Because frankly you are taller than I am."

The man with the bald spot who talked to you yesterday raises his hand carefully and when everyone looks at him he begins to talk.
Erm... We aren't really fighters. I'm an antiquary, I can polish swords but wielding one... I mean I can certainly try
He takes one of the short swords that you found, grabs it with both hands and swings it left and right, more like a bat and not in the way you'd usually wield one.
The others give it a try too, pick up weapons and swing the swords in a similiar way.
Looks like we've got ourselves an army on par with t' friggin' Bridgeton Elite Guard Rada says and shakes her head
But ya'll got the spirit. Maybe with enough shoutin' an' wavin' of ya weapons we can scare those froggys away from their lair. Well as long as they don't have any other tricks up their slimy sleeves.
Rada claps her hands But I guess we won't find out by just sitting here! So what do ya say!? Shall we go an' get the rest of the crew back? After we've dealt with the frog people we can still decide on how to proceed...

If you want to approximatly find out where you are you can make a DC11 Survival check. On a successful check you find out the following

"I know which way they went, as long as they don't go swimming I can follow the tracks easily enough."

He looks around the group and then looks to Rhys "If you can keep up with me and relay our heading back to the group then I will scout ahead, but you should know that I saw some tracks thast don't normally belong in a swamp. There is a big cat with one of what I believe to be human tracks that I saw, I don't know if they are together or if the cat was following the person to be honest. So be aware off your surroundings and watch out for snakes as well. If the group stays together and quiet we should be able to get close to them."

Korrin heads for the spot he saw the tracks the day before.Korrin | HP 11/11 | AC 15 | Axe 2/2 | Dagger 2/2 | Arrows 20/20

Melianne is taken aback at Solra's... compliment? A double-edged one, seeing as the dancer was trying to do the exact opposite of getting herself involved with the rescue mission, which now would be almost inconsiderade. She chuckles weakly at the height joke, but her mind is not in it as she wonders about what's to happen. "It's kind of you to say so, dear," Firebird twists the end of her silk scarf, wrapping it around her hand in a nervous tic. "But I doubt I will fare better with a sword than these fellows. And dancing isn't a very effective intimidation technique, is it? I remember reading about a tribe which solved disputes in a battle of rhythm and grace, but these frogs didn't seem like the sort..."

She seems to be planning to add something else, probably another argument in favor of staying with the main group, but Korrin's departure startles her and Melianne turns to watch the halfling. She blinks in confusion at his quick explanation, before glancing at Solra and then at Rhys. "A cat? As in a lynx? Or a leopard? And snakes?" Melianne glances down at her dancing shoes in despair, and sighs. "Ah, Solra, I hope your medical talents - or blessings - extend to curing poisons. The last time I was out in the wilderness with venomous snakes, I had to limp for an hour to the closest healer; it was horrible!"

She clasps her hands dramatically, and leans a bit towards the dwarf in a not-so-subtle manner, while innocently looking back at Rhys and Annika. "Should we all follow Korrin? Or wait until he and you, Rhys... scout ahead, was it? It must be dangerous to go alone, with the frogs knowing where we are." Melianne frowns. "But he probably knows better..."

Solra eyes Melianne up and down with a critical eye as if perhaps viewing her for the first time then says, "Sister I do not mince words, I just call it like I see it. For someone who can breathe inspiration into others to conquer their fears you sure do seem to struggle horribly with your own. Get a back bone, being spineless is for the invertebrates."

She listens to Korrin and then to Melianne's comment and replies, "Leopards, Lynxes, and snakes oh my. Well if the snakes be a constrictor kind, then limping on a poisoned leg is going to be the least of your worries sister. They can crush every bone in your body and usually do before swallowing you whole. As for scouting with Korrin, nay this girl," she slaps her chainmail which chinks in reply, "is not the sneaky kind. We will stay with the main group and I agree with Rada," she turns and looks at the others, "Get what weapons you can and let's get moving perhaps you will not need to use them if we show a consolidated group, a force to be reckoned with so-to-speak. So put on your mean face and try to look tough even if you do not feel tough. Just hang back looking tough if any fighting gets started and defend yourself if necessary. Cuz if you do not, then I will kick your butt all the way to the base camp and enjoy doing it every step of the way. Now move!" The playfulness Melianne had heard just shortly before was gone, and from what Solra had said she got the impression she literally meant she would do what she just said she would do if it came to that. Her approach to dealing with folk in general was not one that created comradery but one more that said what you need to fear more is me and not those frogs or any other critter in the swamp. However, Melianne could tell that Solra lacked the talent for inspiring others either with bravery or fear and to prevent her from beating up their charges she might have to do some work of her own to get those to follow what Solra was saying.