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Message: <blockquote data-quote="DayTripper" data-source="post: 5575767" data-attributes="member: 23440">Oerth, Flanaess, Vesve Forest, Starday 15th Readying CY585Observing the bullywug camp from the undergrowth, it became obvious to the 3 adventurers that there was only 2 realistic ways to gain access to the camp and find out what was really going on.  They could either sneak in or talk their way in.  As a group neither method stood out given the skills and experience on show.  Nevertheless, given Lindal’s woodcraft and cunning they decided that an attempt to sneak into the camp together would be the method most likely to succeed.  So towards the evening of that day, they snuck across the open field between the forest and the Serpent Mound; they spotted guards; used some illusion magic to divert attention away from themselves; scrambled over the coils of the Serpent to gain better position; tried to second guess the bullywug guards.  Unfortunately, their sneaky entry was finally undone when Lindal tried to steal a password for a checkpoint.  He was spotted and chased by a patrol.  Although Tarlock and Ulfur step in to help defeat the patrol, the break-in is ruined and the three retreat back to the woods to think again.  The bullywugs, though, are now alerted to someone trying to sneak into their camp.The following night, despite the bullywugs being on alert, the three adventurers try to sneak in again, but this time they travel at night and focus their skills on more diversions and distractions to gain entry as well some sneaking, observing and scrambling.  This time they are successful and reach the encampment at the top of the mound.They find a well-organised and established bullywug camp.  These creatures clearly know what they are doing, they have stables for wyverns, sleeping tents, a worship tent (the bloody skull of Iuz clearly marks this tent), store tents, a canteen tent (staffed by captured gnomes), a command tent (made obvious by its white fur covering) and a forge.  The camp is clearly here to stay.At the centre of the camp is the mouth of the Serpent.  Its open maw gapes to reveal carved steps that descend into the belly of the snake and the mound.  Strikingly, this mouth is guarded, not just by bullywugs but also by the tall, vulture-like presence of a vrock demon.Skirting the edge of the camp, the 3 intruders also spot an armoured wagon in which is imprisoned some gnomes.  Although the wagon is guarded, Lindal sneaks up and speaks to the gnomes.  They are the gnomes from the caravan and are keen to be rescued though they are concerned about some of their fellows who were removed to serve in the canteen.  The gnomes have placated the bullywug leader, self-styled General Grauss, by claiming to be rich merchants who could be ransomed.  Grauss is considering this option against whether just to eat the gnomes instead.Although the gnomes know little of what the bullywugs are up to they do know that Grauss isn’t the true power here.  He might be the military leader but these bullywugs are here following “one of their primordial gods”, a giant, intelligent toad named King Bog.  He is the true leader amongst the bullywugs and supported by a bullywug druid named Kabik.Stranger things are also afoot within the camp: whilst sneaking past the forge, Lindal notices 2 bullywugs therein.  Surprisingly, one of the bullywug smiths sees Lindal but takes no action.  The two stare at each other for a few moments and Lindal perceives that the two bullywug smiths are not bullywugs but grey rift slaad.  These odd creatures of primordial chaos merely observe even when Lindal returns to the nearby prison wagon, silently takes down the two bullywug guards and starts a gnomish prison-break...</blockquote>

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