Session 17: Bullywugs in the Swamp Report

General Summary

24th Mithusar 836PD   Occasional crackles of lightning emanate from beyond line of sight, through the mangrove trees. Theia and Ongar can make out voices but not in any known language. The group agree that leaving a potential threat at their backs may be an issue, and decide to investigate. Scouting via flight, Theia briefly circuits the area finding remains of planks and walkways. Some show recent remains of charring and scoring horizontally. Half a dozen frog-like creatures, camouflaged and half-buried in the swamp, look up at her passing. One is wielding a clearly magical spear, crackling with the lightning that no doubt caused the damage nearby.   Returning to the boat, Theia recants her findings and they agree, with supplemental information from the crew, that these are likely bullywugs. They aren't likely to have naturally come across such a powerful weapon as the lightning spear, so this may embolden them to raid or harass the local populace if left unmolested as is their normal behaviour even without such weaponry. Ongar spends a few minutes preparing a ritual to Comprehend Languages, having heard but not understood them earlier.   The party hop off the boat and between terrible directions from Theia and an overriding sense of pathfinding from Jakuki, they find their way back to the bullywugs. A brief and one-sided exchange finds them intractable and defensive of the area, and their apparent leader with the spear will not approach or allow Ongar to view his prize.   Eyeing the lightning spear, Theia suggests the party spread out and begins to quietly suggest a plan, when Ceonwulf interrupts and, knowing the bullywugs were about to attack, tells Theia to do whatever she was planning. She casts Bless on Ongar, Jakuki and Ceonwulf as the leader throws his spear into their midst. Ceonwulf is badly scathed by the passing lightning, while Ongar portentiously stepped to one side after recognising the incoming attack. The spear then clangs off Roderick's shield and clatters to the floor, where at the flick of a wrist from the bullywug leader, returns to his hand. The fight is on, and the bullywugs swarm forwards, leaping at the nearest person with teeth and spears bared.