Session 110

General Summary

• The party chose to ignore the combat going on at Igo's Altar, instead conversing with the onlooker, Strider.
• According to Strider, The Hounds Guild members are under attack by some Keyherders, even though Igo's Altar is apparently an old Du'Radi shrine. The Cobralek are also there; Strider thinks that they intend to backstab the Hounds Guild once the Keyherders are taken care of.
• Though they don't fully trust one another, Strider and his companion Eunectes agree to teleport them to a different place where the Hounds Guild are known to have been. Because of the spell's limits, Snap, Crackle, and Pop were left behind, as were the toadbeasts.
• The party, Strider, and Eunectes teleported to Roboshtrog, an abandoned Orcish trade hub. They discussed a bit about the mentality shared by the tribes in the Sundered Swamp, then they began investigating to find out more about where the Hounds Guild might have gone.
• Kesmet found a dead body in one of the huts. Dazki also found a dead body in another tent with some aggressive mosquito-like insects that attacked on sight.
• The insects emitted a loud humming noise that disoriented the party (and knocked Dazki unconscious outright), and they did massive amounts of lingering damage, but they were incredibly fragile, each one collapsing into a pile of natural material from taking just a single hit.
• After the combat was over, an elderly half-orc rowed in on a boat, narrating the experience just like the old man had done at Dew Mill.
• The elderly half-orc only really had the opportunity to taunt them with phrases related to "The Metronome Man", before Dwardazik killed him.

Full Recap

Dwardazik: Let's make sure that we can keep the toads nearby, in case we need to make a hasty retreat.   Kesmet, who is still invisible: Yeah... 'cause they're known for their haste.   Marvin, disguised as Grimes: Honestly... I know we need information out of The Hounds Guild, but... maybe let's not fight these guys? We don't exactly have numbers on our side.   Grogery, who is still invisible: I have spells that can break up the fight. Let's go.   Dazki: Mr. Grimes, I do suggest we completely do not get involved. We can find other ways to deal with your current situation. I do believe that getting involved in this is a bad idea.   Marvin: You make a wise point; I did hire you for a reason. You can bring out the smarts, when you really need to!   Dwardazik, whispering: Hey, Barry. Keep those toads over there. Get 'em into the muck so they can stay concealed. You guard them, all right?   Kesmet, whispering: Hey, Grogery, I think Dazki is trying to convince whoever might be eavesdropping on us that we are who we're pretending to be.   Grogery, whispering back: That's fair.   Marvin, whispering to Dazki: What if these guys don't like the Hounds Guild and they know to be expecting Grimes? Is it the best thing for us to make these guys believe we're Grimes? Things are very strange right now!   Dwardazik, not whispering: Look, there's nothing to be afraid about. We're here on official business! I'll keep you safe, and I'm not worried about any stupid ambushes.   Dazki: I mean, we are here for business purposes. We're not affiliated with that group at the moment, officially: you are seeking them out for assistance with your problem. So I feel like, with the items we've procured for them, we can probably barter our way out of any trouble, if necessary.   Marvin: Fair. I say, we just say hello!   Dazki: I see no reason we can't engage the gentleman off to the side, but I do recommend we remain wary of the chaos unfolding at the altar itself.   Marvin: No arguments here.   Kesmet, whispering to them before they leave: If you need us to start combat, give us a signal. Like, a bird call or something.   Dwardazik, approaching: Hey, lad! We're here to do some business with the Hounds Guild. That you?

Editor's note: Strider's second set of arms aren't visible at this time.

Dwardazik: If you ain't part of the Hounds Guild, then we got no business with ya.   Strider: Well, the Hounds Guild is over there.   Marvin: Yeah, and they don't seem to be doing too well...   Strider: No, but that's kinda what you get, bein' out of place.   Marvin: Fair's fair.   Dwardazik: You seem like you've been watching this fight for a bit. What's goin' on here, eh? You're not ambushing the Hounds Guild, are ya? Not that I'd complain.   Strider: No, no! Best not yell across the aisles... why don't you come over here?   Dwardazik: I think I'll stand right here.   Dazki: Surely, it's a short enough distance — even with the chaos — that we can have a civil conversation. So, what led to this altercation? Do you have any clues? Tribal politics, people trespassing where they shouldn't be?   Strider: I like it! "ALTARcation"! Given that we're at an ALTAR! Does that make you the face of the group, then, since you speak so politely?   Dazki: Myself and Mr. Grimes are the diplomatic ones, yes.   Dwardazik: Yeah, they're all face and no belly. Can't even handle an ale!   Marvin slaps Dwardazik's belly.   Dwardazik: Hey, watch it, lad! You ain't payin' me enough for that kind of disrespect!   Marvin: Hey, hey! I'll treat you to a good beer when we get back. Really good beer! Beer you've never tasted in your life!   Dwardazik: I'll kick your ass if you call it "beer" one more time! It's called "ale"!   Strider: Hey, HEY! I'm tryin' to watch the show!   Marvin: Do we have to pay to watch the show?   Strider: One question at a time.   Dwardazik: You'd honestly pay for a free show?   Dazki: Guys, please. We're trying to learn what's going on so we're not quite so ill-informed in the future.   Dwardazik: Yeah, so we can get this over with and I can get paid.   Dazki: I apologize for my traveling companions.   Strider grabs a bunch of granola out of a sack and starts eating it as he explains.   Strider: First of all — hello. Don't know if we did that already.   Dazki: No — no, we didn't. Forgive me. I am Dazki, this is my companion Grimes, and our fellow who goes by "Longbeard".   Dwardazik: Pleasure to meet ya.   Strider: Sure. Sure.   Dwardazik: And your name?   Strider: They call me Strider. And my companion here — he gestures over to the snake with his arm that's missing a hand — this is Eunectes. She doesn't talk much to pretty much anybody.   Eunectes has no interest in interacting with you. It is a snake.   Dwardazik: You're gonna keep your beast on a tight leash, aye?   Strider: Hey, don't tell me what to do here! Do you want to know the score or not?   Dazki: If you would be so kind.   Dwardazik: I'm merely saying — it would be a shame if something were to happen to your beastie, if it did the wrong thing.   Strider: You're so pushy...   Marvin: Hey! That looks like a nice fellow, all right? And so does the man standing here talkin' to us.   Strider: It's all right there, little buddy. You know, some people are just pushy. It is what it is. You tend to just kinda ignore it, out here. You know, read between the lines. For example: he's probably bein' all puffed up like that because he's scared in unfamiliar places. But that's OK!   Dwardazik quickly turns around to search for ambushes coming up behind him, (Perception 13) not seeing any... yet.   Strider: See, this shrine, Igo's Altar, is an old Du'Radi shrine, but nobody out there fighting is Du'Radi. Instead, you've got a bunch of strange colonists who have decided to team up with the least likely of tribes. Not gonna go well with them. I predict a backstab in the near future.   Dwardazik: Wait, now — who's fightin' who?   Strider: All right, you see those big fellas over there on the right?   Dwardazik: Yeah, yeah.   Strider: That's a group of Keyherders. They're trying to save this shrine from a bunch of colonists that are disturbing the local wildlife or... I don't know, I haven't asked 'em.   Dwardazik slaps a mosquito on his neck.   Strider: But this is a Du'Radi shrine, and we certainly haven't asked anybody to deal with it, so, somebody must have asked them.   Marvin: So you're not friendly with anyone over there?   Strider, to the snake: Do I look unfriendly?   Marvin: Sorry, I should have worded it — you're not "with" anyone over there?   Strider: Nah, I just want to scavenge up what's left after this whole thing goes down.   Marvin: Can't fault you for that.   Dwardazik: Hey, Grimes, is any one of those the contact we're supposed to be talkin' to?   Marvin: I dunno, can't really tell from over here. Probably the hairy one?   Dazki: Yes, given the nature of your "problem", I'm sure that the furry one is one of our intended contacts.   Strider: Those two wiley ones and the bigger drow boy, those are the Cobralek. Now, they were just mullin' about with the colonists, but I can't imagine why that would be, in any sort of long-term goal. But, the Cobraleks aren't really that big on planning, so this whole thing is just so interesting!   Dazki: So, I did hear a little bit of a rumor, about why the Cobralek and the Hounds might be working together. It seems that the Cobralek hired the Hounds to take care of a problem of theirs on this side of The Wall™ that was a bit further away from this area.   Strider: Oh, yeah, yeah — I heard stuff like that. Doesn't make any sense, though.   Dazki: Why doesn't it make any sense?   Strider: Well, look at the Keyherders here. If you wanted stuff to be done without permission, then those are the ones you would go to. And yet, they're the ones fighting the colonists!   Dwardazik: So what do they gain out of this?   Strider: The Cobraleks hate your guts, and if they noticed you, they'd probably attack you on sight. They're distracted, but... why? Why work with your enemy, even if it is to protect a resource? You can't blackmail a Cobralek, it doesn't work.   Dazki: Like you said, I imagine that the backstab was coming quickly. Probably from both sides.   Dwardazik: He brings up a good point. What were they trying to protect over here? And don't say "the altar"... what were they workin' together to do?   Strider: Who, the Keyherders? They kinda poke into anybody's business. Probably trying to protect this shrine from the other folks, but nobody asked 'em to, and it's certainly not their shrine.   Dwardazik: Are they makin' a move for territory? That seems like something they'd do...   Strider: What the heck is "territory"?   Dwardazik: You know, a place you own? Like a mountain?   Dazki: It works a little bit differently out here, from what we've learned, Dwardazik.   Dwardazik: Uh, who's that?   Dazki: "Longbeard", excuse me.   Dwardazik: ...right. So, what, if we're not gonna be able to do our business, then are we just gonna wait here until one side kills the other?   Marvin: Sounds like they might come to us next, if one side wins?   Dwardazik: Now listen here. I was to protect you during this business deal, not fight a battle for you!   Strider: Your business deal ain't gonna happen. There's no way any of those people let those colonists stay there.   Dwardazik: ...UGH. I'd better get paid extra if you make me go fight 'em!   Marvin: You'll get paid plenty!   Dazki: So, would there be a way for us to make contact with others in that group of colonists, or find where they had come from? Would there be someone around here that might be well-enough-informed that we might continue our business even if it's elsewhere?   Strider: Ooh, I don't know. They've been kind-of all over the place recently. I mean, it's not even tourist season — yet, they're very busy. Like little beetles, just scurrying around, right?   Dazki: There hasn't been any particular place that they have been spotted more frequently than others?   Strider: Hmm... I mean, I don't... here's the problem I'm having. Great guys, most of you. The thing is... I kinda don't want you to go where they are.   Dazki: All right, I appreciate the honesty. And why not, if I may ask?   Strider: I mean, you're colonists, it gets really weird out there, and you guys tend to like to... uh... "fix" is probably the right word for you, and the wrong word for me.   Dwardazik: Look, are you talkin' about makin' things civilized? Like... beds? Houses? Everything not bein' wet?   Dazki: All we want to do is deliver what we were set to deliver, get Mr. Grimes here some help with a certain problem that the Hounds Guild seems to have knowledge on how to deal with, get paid, and leave. (Deception 25)   Strider: Well, sorry mates, but your colonist buds out here ain't makin' it.   Marvin: Yeah, they seem like goners, and that's not good news for me.   Dazki: And you're not willing to share with us any information about a base of operations, or anything like that?   Strider: Well... ... ...I mean "base of operations" is another weird one, but...   Dwardazik: Look, if the Hounds have got a gathering place, we can do our business there and not get involved with whatever this is.   Dazki: How's this: what we can do for you, in exchange for that information?   Dwardazik: If we trust 'im... might just lead us into a Cobralek encampment!   Strider: Oh, I ain't goin' there. Well, I've been... I mean, we're both pretty honest right now, but you're so naïve, and I'm not the best judge of character...   Dazki: I believe that the naïveté is from not understanding local politics — being, y'know, colonists and all.   Marvin: Yeah, we want to understand, but it's all new to me.   Dazki: We are dry behind the ears.   Strider: All right, let me just consult with my companion real quick.

Strider: All right, here's what we've determined. I'm gonna try to get you to where you want to go. But I'm not gonna tell you where that is. I don't want you to know where that is.   Marvin: But, you're gonna get us there?   Dwardazik: You can't be serious. Do you want to be strung up by your ankles? Because this is how you get strung up by your ankles.   Strider: Some of us over here don't even have ankles!   Dazki: Now, Dwardazik — a little trust for a little trust.   Dwardazik: I'm not paid to trust.   Marvin: Double.   Dwardazik: ...double?   Marvin: Double.   Dwardazik: It's gonna be hard to collect payment when you're hangin' by your ankles!   Dazki: So, how do you propose getting us there without us knowing?   Strider: I'm not entirely sure where — you just want to go, vaguely, "where they've been"?   Dwardazik: Where they are would be better. ...can't believe I'm even agreeing to this...   Strider: One thing you have to know is that there's no such thing as "are". There's "was", and there's "might be".   Dazki: OK, then, somewhere they "might be". Someone they're very likely to be heading?   Strider: Yeah, I get you.   (Insight 14): Yeah, he gets you. He seems overtly friendly. Very outgoing and forward with everything, which more cagey individuals might find suspicious, but eh. Not sure which side you fall on just yet.   Strider: Well, if this is gonna be a backstab situation, I'm probably not gonna get any of this loot anyway.   Dazki: If you want to wait, we certainly do have a bit of time before we need to resolve our problem.   Dwardazik: Now listen here. I agree with his assessment that whatever the hell happens up there, if the Cobralek do in fact kill the Hounds, then they'll be comin' after us next.   Dazki: The Cobralek are fighting with the Hounds.   Strider: For now.   Marvin: For now.   Dwardazik: For now. Anyways, I'm just sayin', I kinda agree with his tactical assessment. We need to make a decision here — we may need to either a) intervene, or b) say "screw this" and cut our losses. Or c) you pay me triple, and we slaughter everyone! Hehehehe.   Marvin: We're not out to get people, all right?   Dwardazik: Triple and a half.   Marvin, scratching his head: Uh... carry the seven...   Dazki: I don't think that's quite how negotiations work.   Dwardazik: He took too long. I raised my price. He should've known a good deal when I said it.   Marvin: I need to talk to the hairy one over there! I don't need 'im dead! Honestly, I don't know what the right move is here, guys.   Dwardazik: Well, you're our magnificent leader. (He pulls out a cigarette and starts smoking it.)   Dazki: My recommendation is, we take our new friend here up on his offer.   Marvin: Yeah. Yeah, all right.   Strider: You sure?   Dwardazik: I absolutely disagree, and like I said, I'd better get paid double for this shit.   Dazki: Am I sure? No. Do I think it is the best option to deal with Mr. Grimes's current problem? Probably.   Dwardazik: Sure, leave it to an elf to negotiate this kind of trade!   Marvin: That's good enough for me.   Dwardazik: Ugh. If only I had a full fuckin' clan of armed dwarves, and we would just grab them all by their ankles, slap them on the ground, and make 'em listen!   Marvin chuckles, while Grogery silently wonders what Dwardazik's deal with ankles is.   Dwardazik: Did you chuckle at that?!   Marvin: No, that was... that was a swamp noise! Swamp gas!   Dwardazik: That's what I thought...   Strider: Well, shit, man! OK. OK. Well, we've got to get away from this situation first.   Marvin: I'm good with that.   Dazki: Of course.   Dwardazik: Ugh. At least I won't have to clean my mace.   Strider: Somewhere we can talk and make noise without the potential, you know?   Dazki: Yeah, of course.   Dwardazik: Ah, yes, a perfect ambush point. Lead on!   Strider: Yes, yes, you know. Where you could ambush me and murder me and my snake friend.   Dwardazik: Why would I want to even waste my time?!   Strider: That's the spirit!   Dazki: Listen. Even if there ends up being a concern, we have the gentleman outnumbered, and I'm sure he doesn't want any bloodshed out here, just like we don't.   Dwardazik: You know, in civilized places, you can talk to people without worrying about being ambushed. I'm just saying.   Strider: I'm not worrying about being ambushed.   Dwardazik: Grimes. What are we doin'?   Marvin: We're takin' 'im up on his offer.   Dwardazik: Lead on.   Dwardazik: ...on this ridiculous journey.   Strider: Awesome.   Marvin: Do we get back on the frogs?   Dwardazik: Yo, we've got some toads over there that we took on our travels. Why don't you, I dunno, ride your snake over there, and we'll make our way out?   Marvin: If that's something you and your companion do?   Strider, giggling: Ride the snake...   Strider: Oh, the toads shan't be coming.   Dwardazik: wut.   Marvin: How are we gettin' there, then?   Dwardazik: We spent good money on those toads, and you're tellin' me we're just gonna leave 'em here?

Dazki takes a step in front of Marvin.

Strider: Look, guys. I don't understand this strange thing you colonists have about keeping things forever, the way they are. You had some toads. You had some gold. Later, you won't, or maybe you will.   Dwardazik: But... that's not a good thing! When my ale tankard is full, and then it becomes empty, that's bad!   Marvin: That just means the ale's in your stomach. Where it should be.   Dwardazik: But my tankard's empty!   Marvin: Then you go get more!   Strider: But do you remember the process of consuming it? Do you feel better for it? Even though it's gone, you still remember what you had done.   Dwardazik: ...sometimes.   Strider: OK. OK.   Dwardazik: Look, why can't we bring the toads? Give me a reason. And it'd better be a good one!   Strider: Because I don't think they would be willing.   Marvin: That's... ominous...   Dwardazik: So, now you want us to travel, not on our swamp mounts, into a strange place (or an ambush)?   Dazki: Like I said, a little trust for a little trust.   Dwardazik: Ughhhhhhh... this is going to be the death of me... please don't let me die in this swamp...   Strider: OK. Um. Fun. Well, I see eight bodies. Are those goblins with you? Wait...   Dazki: They tried to cause us some problems. We decided to take them as local guides.   Strider: HAH! You could have them watch over the toads?   Marvin: To be fair, one of 'em almost got eaten by one of the toads...   Strider: Yeah... that seems about right. Big mouths, little bodies.   Marvin: But, I think that's a lesson you learn once?   Strider: You would think so, but there's a saying around here: goblins never die of old age.   Marvin: Oh! That's... a new one!   Dwardazik: Ominous. Now, then. Shall we proceed to leave, before what happens over there (He points across) comes over here?   Strider: Well, I mean — once again, there's a certain willingness involved.   Marvin: We should probably tell Barry to get out of this opening and go back towards the treeline if there was one?   Strider: OK, I don't think you're quite understanding the situation here.   Dwardazik moves his hands towards his weapon and shield.   Dazki: What, specifically, are you asking us to do, then?   Strider: Piece it together, man. Come on.   Marvin: Shit, you want to teleport us, don't you?   Strider: I wanna teleport you.   Marvin makes a bird call.   Strider: I sense that you still do not fully trust me, even though you said you would.   Dwardazik: To be fair, he said he would. I didn't necessarily agree to that.   Strider: Why do we hesitate?   Marvin: Teleporting's kinda scary, not gonna lie!   Strider: Scary for you? I'm not even supposed to do it!   Dazki: To be completely honest, we have backup hiding around here, because we decided to not trust the other colonists we were meeting. We would feel uncomfortable leaving them behind.   Dwardazik: ...oh my gosh... (He stomps his foot on the ground so hard that it digs a pit.)   Marvin: Don't get your boot stuck, now!   Dazki: So if you'll give us one moment, we can go and get our backup and arrange for someone to watch our toads, should we desire that.   Strider: I counted eight. I can only do eight.   Dazki: That's fine, I believe we will be leaving some of our group behind so that we will only have eight.   Marvin: Man... Barry alone with the goblins...   Dwardazik: You know, I gotta say. Purely hypothetical. So, let's say you walk to a cliff — hypothetically — and you can't see the bottom of that cliff. And someone, who you have no information about, just says "it's OK, there's actually an invisible bridge there! if you take a couple of steps, you can just walk across it!". That's the situation right now. Just want to point that out.   Dazki: Well, you can stay here with the goblins and the toads, then!   Dwardazik: I'm getting paid.   Dazki: Excuse us for just a moment.

The three step back towards the goblins, where Dazki had noticed Grogery (still invisible).

Grogery (still invisible, to the goblins): This is your chief. I have been made invisible through magic to keep me safe. We need to talk to this man. We need to teleport, but we can't teleport all of us, and we need to keep a lookout in this area. We'll be back. Be safe, don't get yourself hurt. Barry is in charge while I'm gone.   A goblin: Which one called Barry?   Grogery: He's the elf with the toads.   A goblin: Which elf with the toads?   Dazki: We should take Barry with us.   Dwardazik: Fuck yeah, we are.   Kesmet: Yeah. Let's take Barry.   Dwardazik: We are not going to abandon Barry in the middle of a damn swamp. If we're all gonna die, we're all dyin' together. In the grimmest way possible.   Grogery: All right, I've just been informed that Barry needs to come along too. So, um, would you guys be able to keep lookout here and make sure the toads don't run away? Stash your box somewhere if you need to. Don't let the toads eat you, or I'll be very upset.   The goblins seem very confused.   A goblin: I'm not sure where you have to go, but it was good having you as chief while it lasted.   Grogery: We will be back within 24 hours. If not, I will send a message to you with magic.   A goblin: Not sure what any of that is. But we will try to remember you.   Grogery: Uh, thanks?   A goblin: You're welcome.   Grogery: I'm not dead. I'm just using magic so that the bad guys can't see me. That means you can't see me either.

The full party head back to Strider, letting him know that they're ready. Kesmet drops the Invisibility.

Strider, clearly nervous: Haha... OK... and, you're definitely trustworthy and willing?   Dazki: I certainly am willing, and trustworthy.   Marvin: I think I am.   Grogery: "Trustworthy" and "willing" are two of my most notable qualities.   Strider: Ha! OK, you were invisible, a second ago. OK, um, I just gotta... I can't actually do it... I've gotta go ask Eunectes for permission.

Strider: No, I... I know you're, like, disappointed. But it's another one of them "teaching moments", right? Like a "teaching moment", like where you... like, maybe we just do this, though?   ...   Strider: No, I haven't thought it through! When have I ever thought through anything?!   ...   Strider: I mean, look! They look trustworthy, right?   Dwardazik:

  Strider: OK, look, I'll, like, make it up or whatever! They're probably — if it's a mistake to be had, it's really my mistake anyway, right? Like, we really don't have that much to lose at this point.

Strider: Eunectes doesn't speak Common very well, but! ...she doesn't talk to your sort of people, so that's not relevant!   Dazki: Sounds fair.   Strider: I can translate for her with my brain, though.   Dazki: I got the impression that there was some sort of psychic conversation going on between the two of you.   Strider: I can read it, but I can't send it out. A gift half-given, you know.   Dazki: Interesting.   Strider: Yeah! Yeah. I'd say it lost me an arm and a leg, but — (He waves his stump around casually) — just missing the hand. SO! ...wanna go for a trip? I think it's still there.   Dwardazik: By the way, lad, what was your name again?   Strider: Oh! I am Strider. HAH! Specifically, more recently, "Water Strider"! Fancy boots.   Dwardazik: Now listen here. Because we're putting our trust in you, I feel I should give some trust back, as my elf friend fellow here has indicated. The name is Dwardazik Stoneturner Boulderhearth — as I'm sure you've found out, because our good ol' "face" here couldn't keep his story straight. Pleasure to meet you. Now, if you kill us, at least remember my name. ...let's get this over with.   Kesmet: That was weirdly direct.   Strider: Yeah, I don't know if I liked that.   Kesmet: But we do face death an inordinately frequent amount.   Strider: All right. You trust me, right?   Dazki: Yep!   Strider: And I trust you?   Dazki: That, only you can determine.   Strider: All right, grab my stump. We gotta make a circle.

Village People, Minus the People

Marvin + Dwardazik: So. Where is "here"?   Strider: This place usually is called "Roboshtrog". Orcish trade hub. And it seems... somewhat abandoned, for now. I take it that the colonists have been here, then. Mission accomplished.   Marvin: And what exactly does this have to do with the Hounds Guild? Oh, by "colonists", you mean that the Hounds Guild have been here...   Strider: Robokosh! ..."Roboshtrog"? Yeah, that's it, "Roboshtrog". My Orcish is still a little rusty...   Dwardazik: OK. So. If there's no one here... can we maybe get out of this hut?   Strider: Well, I don't see why not. I'm not keeping you here!   Dwardazik walks outside.   Dazki: So, you say the colonists — the Hounds Guild — they come here occasionally?   Strider: This is where they were.   Marvin: It does seem very abandoned?   Strider: I'm sure it's not completely abandoned.   Dwardazik: Perhaps we can find some information on them?   Dazki: Yep. Time to start searching around.   Marvin: Well, thank you, Strider. This was very helpful.   Dwardazik: Eh... I don't know...   Grogery: Where, exactly, are we on a map? And/or, are you going to take us back when we're done here?   Strider: Oh, "back"? "Back" was part of it?   Dazki: I guess, it was never explicitly —   Strider: "Back" is a strange term.   Dwardazik: How about "forward", in the direction we came from?   Strider: You guys won't fare well this deep, with that sort of mindset you have.   Dwardazik: Explain.   Dazki: Please, if you would.   Strider: You colonists have this love and affection for this sort of... self-centered permanence. This sort of morality that's sort of built up around the fact that your world should stay stable, and so you work hard to make sure that others keep the insanity away. ...or something like that. I'm still learning.   Dazki: So, I understand what you're saying, and I don't disagree with your statement entirely. I do believe that change is necessary for a society, for people's lives to become better. I do believe that, perhaps, our definition of "change" is considerably more narrow than the definition of "change" of the people out here. Perhaps that is to our detriment.   Dazki (cont'd): Is there a way that we could expand our understanding, that we might be able to survive better in this land? I don't wish to remain stagnant; I wish to change and evolve to become better as well, so if there is some guidance that you could give unto us, to help us change in a beneficial way? That would be very much appreciated.   Strider: You say the word "beneficial", but I can sense that you're not willing to go the distance.   Dazki: What is the "distance" that would need to be gone?   Strider: You see, it is believed that the being that we live upon is vastly complex, its goals unfathomably abstract. What we consider "change" is just it, going about its day. We're just too small to comprehend the difference. But, that doesn't mean we can't be beneficial to it — or a hindrance. Like mites. Some keep things clean, some take things away, dirty things up.   Dwardazik: Really? A parasite comparison?   Dazki: It's not entirely inapt, based on how your people and mine use this land — or creature, or whatever it may be — for our own personal benefit.   Dwardazik: I disagree. You see the world, and... the world itself is rough, unrefined. Dwarves —   Dazki: are also unrefined, yes, I know.   Dwardazik: ...but our ability to change and craft this material into art and beauty, that's the whole point!   Strider: Imagine, then, that you were a farmer. A person is overly complex, right? In this metaphor, at least. And you do things that you need to live: you plow dirt, you grow crops, fertilize, harvest, —   Dwardazik: I've heard that's how the humans do it. Dwarven fungus farms are a bit different.   Dazki: But you understand the analogy, Dwardazik. Please, continue, my new friend.   Dwardazik: "friend" is a pretty strong word, I'm just —   Strider: A rat also needs these things to survive, to some lesser extent. It certainly isn't up here making invitations to tea parties and getting into complex political wars, but it needs food, the same as the farmer. So it takes. The farmer — upset that his work is going to naught, or to a lesser effect — he is hurt by this mouse. He sets traps, traps that the rat can't understand. There is food... *snap*... the rat is tricked! But the rat was never supposed to be there in the first place, according to the farmer.   Strider (cont'd): Now, the snake, the farmer does not trap. The snake is beneficial: it helps prevent the hurt that the rat causes to the farmer. In a field of wheat, a snake is welcomed. A rat is not.   Dwardazik: Did you just say that because you have a companion here who's half-snake?   Strider: I'm simply trying to translate what I've been taught, OK?   Dwardazik: Look, I get it! We're all parasites on the land.   Strider: We don't have to be. We might not be. We don't understand what the Terrasoul wants, what the Terramind thinks, what the Terrabody needs to survive.   Marvin wonders if this is "The Metronome Man"... (Insight 10):

  Grogery: So. Interesting thing. Is it desirable, then, to try to understand what the earth wants, or what we would be able to do to benefit the earth in that case?   Strider: Earth is just dirt. I assume you mean the Terra?   Grogery: Yes.   Strider: It is impossible for us to fully understand, but we can ask it what it needs from us.   Dazki: And how would we ask this question?   Strider: If we are to be beneficial to it, it will try to help us... even if we don't understand the help it's giving. For example, look at my stump. (He raises up his left arm, missing a hand and wrist.)   Kesmet: Do we have to?   Strider: I asked the chaotic and abstract nature of the Terra, "how can I best serve you, if I have but one hand left?" I've made a mistake, potentially. I have been bitten by the mouse. And then, one day, the Terra answers.   Dwardazik: ...and gives you a snake?   Strider removes his cloak using two additional arms, one on each side.   Strider: Now, I have what I need. I haven't fully understood the purpose of these additional gifts yet, but I assume I'm on the right track. Whatever Terra gives — if you have given to Terra — is meant to be a gift.   Dwardazik: Explain to me when you got this gift from Terra? What were you doing at the time?   Strider: I don't understand.   Grogery: Are you implying that the Turmoil is Terra's will?   Dwardazik: I don't think he knows that word.   Strider: The "Turmoil", as you colonists call it, these are merely events that we cannot comprehend. We are small, insignificant mites on the back of a large lizard.   Marvin: Wait, it wasn't a "lizard" before.   Strider: Change is important.   Grogery: I will concede that change is important. If you do not keep improving, then what is even the point? You can't let yourself stagnate. You can't allow things to stagnate. However, by passively accepting whatever chaos may come your way, you basically give up your ability to have a positive impact. If Terra wants certain things and benefits from certain things, then why not take a more active role in it?   Strider: To set traps for the mouse, you mean?   Grogery: Yes.   Strider: Indeed, the Terra does. But as long as we live here, it's best not to be the mouse.   Grogery: To extend the metaphor, it makes more sense to be something of a cat that works together with Terra — or higher powers — in order to get things done and provide a net benefit to everybody.   Strider: I don't fully understand. Are you claiming to understand the needs of a being so complex that —   Grogery: This is hitting a weird spot for me, because what if this does something that negatively impacts you in such a way that... look. I've had my own experiences with the Turmoil as well, and they haven't turned out so well for me.   Strider: Are you sure?   Grogery: Y-... yes.   Strider: Or are you too closed-minded to listen?   Grogery: How is having interruption to my Sending and my Light spells going to help?   Dazki: "Sometimes, lessons can take time to be learned", I believe, is an appropriate analogy?   Strider: It's simply a lack of creativity on your part, if you cannot see the advantage, and you believe that you do good.   Kesmet: Lessons take time to learn, and people take time to kill. What we were we doing here? Where is the thing? Why are we here?   Dwardazik: Apparently, we're here to get a sermon!   Dazki: The Hounds Guild were here at one point.   Strider: They were! I promise.   Dazki: So, we need to look for clues as to where they might be going next, where else they might have been, or how to find them. Even if they're careful, they're bound to have left something behind that we can use to look for them.   Kesmet: All right. How long ago might they have been here?   Strider: Oh, I dunno.   Marvin: I guess we'll find out.   Kesmet: They're close. I can feel it in my bones.   (Perception 1): Kesmet sense them everywhere.   Strider: I dunno, I got you here, and you seemed chatty!   Dwardazik: As far as I'm concerned — I appreciate your assistance, I think, Strider and your, uh, associate here.   Strider: OK! That's great. And even though you're still super rigid in your thinking, you didn't murder both of us! So — (He turns to Eunectes) — I guess I win.   Dazki: I was going to ask, would you be willing to stick around while we do our searching and help me learn more?   Strider: Um, I mean yeah, I've got nothing better to do, really.   Dazki: I'd very much appreciate that.   Marvin: So, Strider — I find it kinda funny that you made this little bet with Eunectes here, but — why did you even choose to help us?   Strider: Why not! Something different.   Kesmet: I like this guy.   Marvin: Fuck it, I'm all about that zero-accountability lifestyle! You're all right.   Kesmet: The world needs new ideas and bold action, y'know? And less drugs.   Strider: I dunno, there's just something about you. And you're free to wander around; this is neutral ground, I don't see any symbols or anything.   Dazki: Good to know. Thank you. So, we do need to search around, but would you mind answering any questions or conversing with me about your interpretations of the will of this being that we live on, and how it changes and affects us? I don't know if that's the right way to speak of it, but hopefully you understand my point?   Strider: Another scholar? I don't mind scholars. Some people find you guys long-winded — a little pompous, all talk until something bad happens and then they just tend to overanalyze — but I don't think you're that bad.   Dazki: Well thank you, I appreciate the compliment.   Strider: I'm still kinda new about this whole deep lore and stuff like that, so...   Dazki: I'm new as well, so, you know, maybe we can learn and philosophize and figure things out together, then!

The party takes some time investigating the different shacks about, Dazki chatting with Strider along the way.

Kesmet's Shack

Kesmet pushes the hide out of the way to light up the room a bit better, and then uses Mage Hand to bring the boot closer so he can investigate it. Kesmet looks to the bench to investigate what he expects to be the rest of the body around the bench.

Dazki's Shack

Combat Summary

• The bugs constantly made an awful droning noise that caused Dazki to fall unconscious until he was attacked. The noise was loud enough to get the attention of Strider and the other party members, drawing them from their separate investigations.
• The bugs scattered, each one attacking a separate target, sucking out their target's blood with their proboscis.
• Strider's move was to stun "his" target (the one attacking him) using some monk abilities.
• Though each of the mosquitoes did massive amounts of damage, each one also required very little damage to defeat, disintegrating into a different sort of natural debris. Dazki observed that transmutation magic must have been involved here.
• Marvin tried to cast a Dissonant Whispers, but the mosquitoes seemed to be completely immune. He found that, though these appeared to be some sort of mosquito monstrosities, the likes of which would certainly have killed the entire party, something about them was kind-of gooey. Shimmery.
• Dwardazik used his Eagle Whistle to get himself close enough to take out two of the mosquitoes.
• After seeing what had happened to the rest, Strider laughed to himself, "Oh, I get it, they're not actually big bugs!", just reveling in (what he found to be) the humor of the situation, instead of finishing off the last one, leaving it for Kesmet to finish off. Which he does.

Dwardazik stops blowing his Eagle Whistle and drops down.

Dwardazik: What the hell was that about?!   Marvin: Who's hurt? Is everyone OK?   Dazki: No, but —   Grogery: Dazki, sit down, I'm doing a Greater Restoration on you.   Dazki: No, we've got to figure out what happened first.   Dwardazik: Why'd these fuckin' bugs come out of nowhere, and it feels like my frickin' soul got ripped out of my body?! And I know what that fuckin' feels like!   Marvin: They weren't real?   Dazki: Some kind of magic, transmutation or something.   Kesmet: I think they were real, but it's the same nonsense that happened with the robot man. Except, it's not a full robot that we got this time, just a bunch of garbage.   Dwardazik: Now listen here, Strider! Why didn't you tell us about this kind of shit?!   Dazki: I'm SURE he didn't know, Dwardazik.   Marvin: Yeah, they actually must have been homunculi, or something like that.   Strider: Nah, it just seems to be... debris? I don't know. Neat, though!   (Insight 25) Strider is not playing dumb. He's just really entertained right now. Some people hate surprises — you get the sense that Strider loves them.   Dwardazik: Damn buffoon. Wouldn't know if a mosquito were suckin' yer blood out right in front of you or not!   Strider, still on cloud nine: I mean, you didn't know!   Dazki: Probably some sort of trap.   Strider: I wonder where the blood goes? Meh. (He shrugs.)   Dazki: Probably it's just destroyed.   Dwardazik, yelling over: Barry, you all right?   Barry: I shot it!   Marvin: Yeah, that was a good shot, Barry!   Barry: I'm very good!   Dwardazik, yelling over even further: Hey, uh, snake-lady-thing, you all right?   ... ... ...   Dwardazik: I'm gonna take that as an "all right"!   Strider: Yeah, she still doesn't talk to colonists.   Dwardazik: Yeah, whatever.   Grogery: Can you ask her what the deal with all of this was?   Strider: Uh, ... ... ... ... ...no, she doesn't know either.   (Insight 15) He's paraphrasing, but he's not lying.

Grogery offers again to heal Dazki, but he declines, intending to go back to investigating the mess hall to investigate for any signs of magical traps.

Grogery: If it's just an illusion, then OK, maybe the effect will go away, but it doesn't feel fake.   Dazki: It's not an illusion, it's some kind of transmutation.   Dwardazik: I find it strange that they could be so damaging, though. Illusions that aren't just... illusions?   Dazki: Again, not illusion.   Dwardazik: ...was it Turmoil?   Grogery: This feels like that. You can't really transmute stuff into living things, though I'm not the most learned in that kind of magic.   Dwardazik: Creating a lifeforce, eh?   Grogery: Anyways, again — blow your whistle if there's a problem! ... ... ...unless you fall unconscious before that can happen...

Dwardazik suggests that everyone partner up before continuing with their investigations.

Kesmet: Marvin, why don't we stick together and check out this room. I found a dead body in it.   Marvin: Yeah, that sounds find.   Kesmet: This is its foot, by the way. (He shows the boot that he's still been holding.)   Marvin: ...OH! Oh. ...um... you're just all about collecting mementos, aren't you?   Kesmet: Oh, it's just that I forgot to let go of the boot. In all the excitement that just happened.   An unknown voice:

As the party continues their investigation about this abandoned settlement, they can't help but wonder why they've agreed to "assist" these noble clerical people. Perhaps it is to, once again, better their own way?

Elderly half-orc:

And just as they're busy wondering about their morality — and how it is offensive to them that others could have different thoughts — they spy an elderly man, simply rowing his boat to shore, seemingly unaware of the encounter that had happened previously. The dwarf, startled, grabs his weaponry.

Indeed, the dwarf has grabbed his weaponry and moved to intercept.   Dazki ignores it and keeps searching.   Marvin: Is this fucker following us?   Dwardazik: Who are you?   Elderly half-orc: I'm more interested in how you guys are doing?   Dwardazik: Hey, I'm the one askin' questions, here! You come out here, speakin' those ominous words. State your business.   Elderly half-orc: My business? My business is uninteresting. Irrelevant. Longer-term. But you! You lot are the stars of this show, unwittingly.   Dwardazik begins charging at him.   Elderly half-orc: Tick-Tock. The noise. The endless march of time never stops. The noise never stops. The endless falling of clashing sand. The Tick, Tick, Tick of the universal clock. Marching on, never slowed. Never ceasing.

Marvin: Dwardazik, I'll be honest, I thought you were just gonna tackle him, not do whatever... that... was.   Dwardazik: The only thing that cryptic monster can do is sow confusion and lead us on the wrong trail.   Marvin: True. You're not wrong.   Dwardazik: Besides, the less entertainment he gets, perhaps he won't be so inclined to send his minions after us.   Marvin: Maybe. Yeah.   Dwardazik: So, explain to me this, Strider. How could the Metronome Man know where we are?   Kesmet, walking over: Hey guys, this shoe is, like, really full of sand now, and — what's going on, what happened?