SESSION SIX "The Battle of Many Splashes"

After wrapping up their affairs with Captain Ranald (who expressed his thanks) and accompanying Rory to the Temple, the group returns to the Gilded Rose. Grandma Gerty, having seen the fire from Thurgood's place on the edge of town, also rejoins the group.

In the morning, the group splits up to pursue different leads around town. The time limit for their mission is quickly approaching and they are desperate for a substantial lead. Ewold and Tristan go back to the guild hall to speak with Master Raymond, the GuildMaster about meeting with "MacAngus" concerning possible future business. Master Raymond explains that MacAngus is to meet with the Fiscal from the castle today to finish the trade and collect his moneys, and he will see if he can arrange an introduction directly after.

Meanwhile Grog and Shujen head down to the docks with Captain Ranald to procure a boat capable of traversing the marshes. Having just heard this morning through Gerty's Mercenary contacts that a Border Knight who is currently staying at the castle might be interested in "avenging" the damage done to some of the clan warriors by Grog, Shujen decides that it's best to get in a little better with the authority figures in town, and keep Grog in Captain Ranald's good graces. Getting into the spirit, Grog decides to make a gift of one of his Great swords to the Captain. Ranald is somewhat taken aback by the gesture but accepts the sword with good grace.

While at the docks, they learn the very suspicious news that the Rivermaster's best marsh boat was stolen last night. He offers them his two next best, shallow draft curraghs on condition that he get them back in one piece. Captain Ranald procures a cart and donkey and they head back to the Gilded Rose.

Rory wakes in the Mistress' temple, healed of his head wound, but still somewhat weak. Rightfully nervous in a Wical temple, he begs off further aid and decides to make his way back to the Gilded Rose. The Head Mistress, insists that a Wicala accompany him and he thanks her and heads off. On the way back to the inn, he and the Wicala see a Mogdan Wical hauling a death cart. Stopping the deathpriest he learns that the owner of the Purple Taper was killed last night. Fearing the worst, he pulls back the shroud and discovers his Aransborough contact, the one who first gave him info on Greyleg, has been murdered.

Back at the Guild Hall, Ewold takes an opportunity to cast a Detect Evil spell and check out both MacAngus and the Fiscal from afar. Neither one shows signs. He then attempts to examine the wagons for magic, but his spell goes wrong and he ends up with spell-induced nausea and a splitting headache without learning anything about the wagons' contents. Tristan meets with MacAngus, who doesn't seem to recognize, or suspect him of anything. They talk business briefly and MacAngus promises to "do what he can" to aid the MacTaggarts in future business dealings.

Though Ewold still isn't feeling too well, the two then decide to follow the Fiscal, who eventually leads them back to the keep, with no suspicious stops or actions along the way.

With everyone back at the Gilded Rose, Rory feeling somewhat recovered and Ewold feeling better from his spellcasting mishap, they decide to head out into the marsh, knowing that the party that stole the boat might also be out there. Just for curiosities sake, Rory checks on MacAngus' camp one more time, both for signs of the boat and signs of the camps current activities. The wagons appear empty and the guards sit around the fire. MacAngus himself is spotted.

Later, at the old campsite on the borders of the marsh, the boats are put into the water and some of the group chooses to divest themselves of their chainmail, for fear of drowning should they be knocked into the water. Shujen declines to leave his field plate behind.

Underway, Shujen summons his owl to lead them and they laboriously crisscross the waterways of the marsh, ever heading inward and eastward. It begins to grow dark and large frogs are seen on the water's edge. At nightfall, the group decides to stop and make camp on one of the larger "islands". Through Tristan's survival skills they manage a very nice camp, even making use of the local flora to make a passable bug deterrent. With a cozy fire to keep them warm, they keep two man watches and turn in.

During the first watch, Grog spots a faint light out on the marsh. His nightvision is able to discern a largish boat passing them by at 100 yards or more. He wakes the others and Shujen curses and quickly smothers the fire, though it's obvious by this point that they must have been spotted. A decision is quickly made to follow the boat and the camp is hastily torn down. They set off with Grog leading and the other boat occasionally being spotted through the night mists. With determination and good navigation they start to draw closer when they spot a purplish glow from their quarry's boat. The gifted among the party immediately recognize it for spellwork and draw their weapons.

Soon after, they are attacked by giant, dark shapes hurtling through the air and trying to knock them into the water. Closer inspection reveals their foes to be pony-sized frogs with glowing red eyes. Grog has his boat pole ripped from his grip by a sticky tongue and Shujen is nearly knocked overboard (which would be seriously bad considering his armored state). Tristan attempts to shoot the frogs but the combination of darkness and the rocking boat makes it too difficult. He is knocked overboard and so is Rory, who takes a nasty bite and begins to sink. Grog's quick hand rescues Rory and the tide of the battle turns as the group is able to set up and attack their targets as they jump.

It's bloody, slimy work, but they manage to chop, dice and skewer the remaining amphibians and haul Tristan and Rory back into the boat. Unfortunately, the delay was enough to lose the enemy boat in the thickening mist and the group is left wet and adrift.