Capellan
Explorer
Kull's Fourth Report - Part 4
With the crocodile - and the dragon - defeated, I led the return to the lizardfolk stronghold. The head of the crocodile I dragged in the dirt behind us, proof that the bargain was fulfilled. Brodnak, for his part, bore the corpse of the dragon. The simple-minded barbarian had announced his intention to have the creature stuffed and mounted, as a memento of what he obviously considered to be a great victory, and a proof that his axe was as sharp as ever.
That left the others to carry the dragon's treasure, which we had uncovered in a nest of reeds by the lake. Much of this was simple gold and jewels, but there were also two swords, each enchanted with strong magic. Brodnak had claimed the larger blade - a massive greatsword - while Julianne had taken the smaller. I could only trust they would put these weapons to better use than they had done against the lizardfolk, or all the magic in the world would not save them.
In the morning, a party of lizardfolk joined us in our preparations for the return to Saltmarsh. Their group included six warriors, as well as a shaman who would no doubt conduct the negotiations with the village council. This assumed, of course, that the council did not pass out from fear at the prospect of facing an actual lizardman in the flesh.
For the first few days, the journey back to Saltmarsh was uneventful. A large, well-armed party such as ours was not likely to be challenged by wild animals, after all. However, as we reached the edge of the marsh, a lizardman scout reported a goblin camp just off to the side of our route.
It is possible that we could have avoided the goblins - their efforts at scouting and watchfulness are usually haphazard - but I had no intention of allowing an armed camp of the vermin to move around with impunity, so close to the village. It was a matter of only a few moments to convince the lizardfolk to join my assault, for I simply pointed out that the continued presence of the goblins would make land-based communication between their camp and the village very dangerous, while sea-based communication would always be vulnerable to their sahuagin enemies. Brodnak, Zalich and the others, of course, were even more easily won over by the lure of looting the goblin's camp. A time-honoured incentive used by military commanders from all races.
In the event, the battle itself was a fierce one, though there could never be a doubt as to the outcome. The goblins outnumbered us by no more than two-to-one, and though they had a shaman of their own and one or two of them demonstrated some skill with their crude blades, they could not match us either in magical nor in martial might. I myself slew eight of their warriors, including their leader. Zalich used his spells to deal with several more, while Julianne and the lizardmen cut down the remainder.
Only Brodnak - again - proved a failure as a warrior. At the outset of the battle, he engaged four goblins. By the time every other one of the vermin had fallen, he still faced the same four creatures, none of whom had even been hurt. The barbarian was swinging wildly, and the creatures danced easily away from his blows, giving him cuts in return that would have felled many a man. Brodnak's bravery and strength are not in doubt, but I begin to wonder as to whether he has any true skill.
Once the rest of us had come to the barbarian's aid, and slain the last four goblins, we continued on our way to Saltmarsh, arriving as the day grew late. To my irritation - though not to my surprise - our motley troop was within the very outskirts of the town itself before our presence - and that of the lizardmen - was even noticed. Had the lizardfolk been hostile, there is no doubt in my mind that they could easily have destroyed the town.
It took some time to calm the panic that set in when the villagers finally noticed the arrival of the lizardfolk, but once that was done, we made arrangements to meet with the council immediately, so that the true situation could be explained to them. Knowing that panic was likely to appear again, once the truth was known by the villagers, I insisted that the meeting take place in a closed session: just the council, the lizardfolk, and my group.
It would also be easier for the council to accept their proper place, if I did not first have to humiliate them in front of the entire town.
With the crocodile - and the dragon - defeated, I led the return to the lizardfolk stronghold. The head of the crocodile I dragged in the dirt behind us, proof that the bargain was fulfilled. Brodnak, for his part, bore the corpse of the dragon. The simple-minded barbarian had announced his intention to have the creature stuffed and mounted, as a memento of what he obviously considered to be a great victory, and a proof that his axe was as sharp as ever.
That left the others to carry the dragon's treasure, which we had uncovered in a nest of reeds by the lake. Much of this was simple gold and jewels, but there were also two swords, each enchanted with strong magic. Brodnak had claimed the larger blade - a massive greatsword - while Julianne had taken the smaller. I could only trust they would put these weapons to better use than they had done against the lizardfolk, or all the magic in the world would not save them.
In the morning, a party of lizardfolk joined us in our preparations for the return to Saltmarsh. Their group included six warriors, as well as a shaman who would no doubt conduct the negotiations with the village council. This assumed, of course, that the council did not pass out from fear at the prospect of facing an actual lizardman in the flesh.
For the first few days, the journey back to Saltmarsh was uneventful. A large, well-armed party such as ours was not likely to be challenged by wild animals, after all. However, as we reached the edge of the marsh, a lizardman scout reported a goblin camp just off to the side of our route.
It is possible that we could have avoided the goblins - their efforts at scouting and watchfulness are usually haphazard - but I had no intention of allowing an armed camp of the vermin to move around with impunity, so close to the village. It was a matter of only a few moments to convince the lizardfolk to join my assault, for I simply pointed out that the continued presence of the goblins would make land-based communication between their camp and the village very dangerous, while sea-based communication would always be vulnerable to their sahuagin enemies. Brodnak, Zalich and the others, of course, were even more easily won over by the lure of looting the goblin's camp. A time-honoured incentive used by military commanders from all races.
In the event, the battle itself was a fierce one, though there could never be a doubt as to the outcome. The goblins outnumbered us by no more than two-to-one, and though they had a shaman of their own and one or two of them demonstrated some skill with their crude blades, they could not match us either in magical nor in martial might. I myself slew eight of their warriors, including their leader. Zalich used his spells to deal with several more, while Julianne and the lizardmen cut down the remainder.
Only Brodnak - again - proved a failure as a warrior. At the outset of the battle, he engaged four goblins. By the time every other one of the vermin had fallen, he still faced the same four creatures, none of whom had even been hurt. The barbarian was swinging wildly, and the creatures danced easily away from his blows, giving him cuts in return that would have felled many a man. Brodnak's bravery and strength are not in doubt, but I begin to wonder as to whether he has any true skill.
Once the rest of us had come to the barbarian's aid, and slain the last four goblins, we continued on our way to Saltmarsh, arriving as the day grew late. To my irritation - though not to my surprise - our motley troop was within the very outskirts of the town itself before our presence - and that of the lizardmen - was even noticed. Had the lizardfolk been hostile, there is no doubt in my mind that they could easily have destroyed the town.
It took some time to calm the panic that set in when the villagers finally noticed the arrival of the lizardfolk, but once that was done, we made arrangements to meet with the council immediately, so that the true situation could be explained to them. Knowing that panic was likely to appear again, once the truth was known by the villagers, I insisted that the meeting take place in a closed session: just the council, the lizardfolk, and my group.
It would also be easier for the council to accept their proper place, if I did not first have to humiliate them in front of the entire town.
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