The local Lord's Sheriff walks out into the courtyard and appears stunned. "That's it, two men?" The Sheriff said to himself. "Better than nothing I guess." The Sheriff commented. The Sheriff looked over Sarne and Azazel. Then he started giving the information.

"The Marsh Flats have persisted in suffering under the wrath of the Mud Worms. The gang gaining more and more power in the territory. Recently, they have started to steal and hoard Bogskippers, valuing their effectiveness for navigating the swamps. It is believed that with an army of Bogskippers, they can outfit their gang and become more of a problem." The Sheriff pauses to let the two men before him think about the information.

He continued "Lord Lilicors is asking for help in freeing and retrieving the Bogskippers and returning them to their owners. You are asked to find a Mud Worm camp and free any Bogskippers they may be holding there, killing any the bandits who may try to stop you." explained the Lord's Sheriff. "As you can see there are only two of you this gang is not to be underestimated. Good hunting you two." The Sheriff added.


The Elf beside Griffin had fair skin and pointed ears stood at five foot eleven with a muscular lean build. Neat in his appearance and in excellent condition. He had brilliantly colored green eyes. On his face black sclera and freckles. He has a wreath made out of brown leaves and has long wavy ginger hair that he wears down letting it sway flowing at his back. He wears a red tunic made out of fine elven silk with golden buttons. His clothing looks of a noble. There was a lot of shiny jewelry located on his wrists, fingers, ears, and collar.

Gafelker known as Griffin turns to the Elf. Looking up at him Griffin being almost half The Elf's size. Looked over him for a minute then spoke. "I hope you can track well I am not so good at those types of things. I am Griffin a simple Gnome of simple ways" remarked Griffin with a nod to the elf.

---

SPOILER: Click to show

Quest Name: Skip With Me
Participants: Two or more
Location: Marsh Flats
Post Requirements: 5 posts per person, 200 words per post
Reward: +1 Renown
Description: The Marsh Flats have continued to suffer under the wrath of the Mud Worms, the gang quickly gaining more and more control of the region. Recently, they have begun to steal and hoard Bogskippers, valuing their usefulness for navigating the swamps. It is believed that with an army of Bogskippers, they can outfit their gang and become more of a problem. Lilicors is asking for help in freeing and retrieving the Bogskippers and returning them to their owners. You are asked to find a Mud Worm camp and free any Bogskippers they may be holding there, dispatching any the members who may try to stop you.

“Ahem”, Nieven scoffs as he sees the Sheriff looking at him and the stranger he was paired up with for this adventure.



“Do not worry at all my friend”, he chuckles, “For even having me involved in this mission will be more than enough to bring back those bogskipper creatures. For Nieven Oakenthorn is the greatest adventurer who ever lived. It’s far better than nothing, it's spectacular, consider yourself blessed by Solaris himself”, he announces waving his hands around.



He then listens to the fellow go and on about their assigned mission just wanting to hear himself talk once more. But the sylvan elf is a kind and respectful person so he looks intently at the man and nods his head pretending to listening. It seemed easy enough to bring back some bugs and beat up the bad guys, no extremely difficult task at all. Why was he sure they’d be able to finish this up and have a nice lunch after?



Nieven waved the fellow off, turning his attention to his companion, “Well I will say I have seen people track before and it doesn’t seem too difficult. I’m sure we’ll be able to figure it out, my friend…Griffin was it? Yes! Griffin let us get started at once for no evil shall escape my incredibly beautiful sense of justice”, and he then begins to walk forward ready to begin their hunt for criminals.

"Master Oakenthorn, Yes we should get going we have most of the day to start to look for the Mud Worms and the Bogskippers," said Giffin starting to walk off in the direction of the gate. "My skill lay with the Arcane skills learning about the domain of the element's primordial planes. and only beginning in this understanding of magic," Stated Griffin to his new partner as they walked.

Griffin was in thought of his concentration event at that time. "I did see a map in the noble house. With some X's on it of the activities of the Mud Worms. So maybe go in that direction we would be there by nightfall if we keep a good pace and nothing tries to eat us on the way." commented Griffen.

"So the greatest adventurer that ever lived you say So I have nothing to worry about then right?" asked Griffin looking at Oakenthorn with some skepticism.

The marsh has trees with black trunks vegetation rotting, and foul smelling water. Mosquitoes and other insects flying around are a bother. Fallen dead trees rotting away, trees leaning over the water. The sound of the slurp of mud under their feet. Frogs croaking, flies buzzing. With the echos of the screeching of animals hunting and being hunted. The burp of trapped air breaks the surface of the water.

Sticky clothes from the hot & moist air, water seeping into boots, the chafe of wet clothing, algae, dead leaf fragments, and mud clumps sticking to wet skin and clothing.

It was getting dark when they saw a light off in the marsh one that should not be there walking all day and probably lost them selfs. Nieven and Griffin might have found what they were looking for with the sounds of Bogskippers moving around.

“Indeed Griffin, I’m glad you're on the same page, these bands of Mud Worms shouldn’t be let wreak havoc any longer”, Nieven said as he walked alongside the fellow.



“Interesting, you’re some sort of arcane scholar, is that so? I consider myself a pretty powerful mage, so I’m sure we’ll work well together. My magical aptitude lies within the sky domain and various shining spells that match my out-of-this-world charm”, he says waving his hands. 


The sylvan elf was not very worried as he explained with a straight face, “I am sure we’ll be fine my friend after all the gods tend to look out for people as beautiful as I am. Plus any dangerous critters out here are no match for our great strength. We just gotta keep going forward and we’re bound to find the Mud Worms anyways”.



After some time of traveling, Nieven started to get agitated. His clothes were beginning to wet and he was getting exhausted from all the walking. He was about to speak up and complain when he stopped noticing some light popping up ahead.



He whispers to his companion, “Looks like we’ve found what we were looking for”, before slowly walking towards it carefully so as not to make too much noise.

Griffen looked with Nieven this had to be the place three huts with people in side two outside looking around Griffin guessed they were guards or lookouts. there was a corral off to one side and you guessed it Bogskippers. Quite a few of them moving around now and then pushing one other for room. Griffin only knew a few things about Bogskippers he could let them out and that would make a difference.

Griffin was wondering how many Mud Worms bandits were there in the huts. Griffin was not looking to get into a huge fight with the Mud Worms bandits. Getting seriously injured out here was not his idea of fun. He knew Nieven was confident but did not know his experience in this type of thing. He was going to use some magic but stopped. Not yet He thought to himself.

Griffin turned to Nieven. Griffin's eyes reflecting in the light. "What is the plan?" asked Griffin wondering what the reply would be. Griffin had a hundred things running through his head. Maybe they should have waited a little longer for more help back at the noble's house. Could they do it and come out unscathed? Griffin thought about it for a minute waiting for Nieven's answer.

“Hm”, the charming fellow hummed thinking about what to do in response to his question. He looked over the area, these Mud Worm fellows seemed to be armed to the teeth and outnumbered the two adventurers many times over. Nieven wasn’t necessarily the best with combat having no offensive spells and only able to rely on his lance for combat power. As confident as he was in his and Griffin’s abilities he still was not planning on getting his beautiful face beat up. Their best option to take them down was to slowly and steadily go one by one and take them down individually. Stealth was not his forte exactly but in situations like this, it seemed to be the only option left.



He whispered his voice quietly, “Okay the best thing I could come up with is to stealthily make our way towards the house. Slowly and carefully taking down each of them, knocking them out somehow. We cannot take on a whole house of Mud Worms by ourselves but if we just pick them off one by one they won’t be able to be as much of a threat”.



Nieven then takes a moment to listen to Griffin’s response before just going ahead with his plan ducking down among the tall grass and slowly walking through it headed towards the house hidden from sight by his surroundings.

Griffin got a smile "One at a time good idea well let us get to work on the guards then," suggested Griffin whispering. He looked to make sure the guard was by the campfire looking away "I will bring him to us." commented Griffin starting to move his hands around. [1] The tiny ball of fire that rotated around Griffin was a fire sprite. "That would work," remarked Griffin then he pointed at the guard. The fire sprite flashed and moved to one side. Bouncing up and down.

The guard looked up and saw the fire sprite his eyes narrowed then opened wide. He stood to his feet and moved past the fire so the firelight would not mess with his sight. The guard tilted his head he was mystified by the light The guard started to slowly walk toward the fiery light. The guard's walk was slow and with caution. the guard pulled out a rusty short sword as he walked closer.

Griffin watched as the guard got closer. [2] Griffin spread out both hands in the dirt the earth rose forming to fighting sticks. that looked as strong as granite. Griffin lifted both sticks and readied them.

The fire sprite was still bouncing around off to one side of the bush. Sometimes being bright and then dim. The fire sprite was louring him in closer and closer when he walked into the shadow of the tree and bush they were next to. "Now is the time Nieven." whispered Griffin.



[1] Summon Flame Sprite
[2] Desert Blessings

Nieven listened to Griffin’s suggestion and stayed back looking at the mage cast a wondrous fire spell summoning a small ball of fire to their aid. It was a great idea to use the little fellow as a distraction while the other two snuck up on them and knocked them out. Certainly simple although he wasn’t exactly certain he could knock the guard down perhaps a good lance strike to the back of the head would do it he thought crouching down among the bushes nearby waiting for the right moment. The sylvan elf’s nerves began kicking in as the guard approached the light next to them slowly and carefully armed with a short sword in hand. Still, he believed in their little fire friend, and as it lured the fellow right next to them he popped out.



“Yes indeed my friend”, he quietly responded not trying to make too much noise.

He then lifted his lance into the air and strike it down into the man’s head hoping that alongside Griffin’s earth-made weapons would be enough to take him down. Because it was not they were sure to be in deep trouble and he was afraid that neither of them could handle it.

Nieven raised his lance to show he was ready. Griffin was not sure about this plan but it was what he could come up with Griffin never thought of himself as a strategist. taking on these bandits one at a time seemed like the best idea. The mud worm bandit got closer Griffin could almost reach out and touch him this was as good as it would get for him. Griffin went for his legs.

the man looked down probably expecting an animal the bandit realized his mistake when he saw Griffin's green eyes reflect the moonlight, and whitish hair contrast against the marshy ground. Griffin struck at the man's knees. There was a loud thug when his fighting sticks connected on the kneecaps. The pop sound from the man's kneecaps told Griffin that the man was not going anywhere.

Not giving any time to recover The Fire Sprite shot a ball of fire from its mouth hitting the bandit in the face burning flesh and the man's hair. This is not what Griffin had for the idea. Griffin could only hope Nieven could silence the bandit or others might know what had happened. Griffin touched the ground [1] Griffin caused a large slab of stone to rise out of the ground, creating a rectangular wall made of the earth. This wall is ten feet in height and five feet in width.

behind the bandit so no one could see the guard dreck.

[1] Stone Wall

Quickly seizing the moment of combined attack power Nieven places both of his hands on his grip and using all of his strength brings the lance down onto the man’s head knocking him out. At the same time he’d done that Griffin’s little sprite fellow eagerly seared the man’s skin. He reels back in panic worried that it’d wake the fellow from his blow-induced slumber but it seems their combined effort has him out cold. Nieven silently chuckles and does a small victory dance proud of their work. He turns and sees the large stone wall in front of them, yes that would serve them nicely.



“Alright”, the sylvan elf whispers, “We’ve taken one down now let’s hide this fellow’s body behind the bushes and get moving into the next guard. After all, if they’re all this easy to trick I’m sure we won’t have any trouble at all clearing these sandworm hooligan’s bases".



He then looks around trying to think of their next move turning to question his companion, “Alright what should we do next? Do we stay put and try to lure another one of the guards using the same method or should we start moving a little?”.

Griffin looked by the pin of Bogskippers the other guard too far away for that trick. Maybe they could work their way around to the other side. Griffin knew the Bogskippers could be skittish if they got too close it could warn the other guard. Griffin looked at the body of the guard they just knocked out or even killed and rubbed his chin. "I have nothing that I could reach the other guard with next to the pin. I could hit him yes but kill him right away probably not," explained Griffin thinking.

The Other Guard was walking looking at the Bogskippers and the pin making sure the Bogskippers could not escape. The guard lifted the lantern to get a good look at them. The Bogskippers moved around some making their clicking noises with their mandibles. They did not look happy with the lantern shining on their face. There was not much room between the Bogskippers and some looked like they wanted to fight one other.

Griffin looked at the man "The guard does not look too smart. maybe you would just carry the other guard Lantern with it off to get close to him if he asks just tell him your lantern is having problems. I would do it but I am a little short." explained Griffin. Griffen could move and attack from a side but would that work could the both of them take down the guard?

“Hm, that’s true this will indeed be a difficult thing to traverse”, Nieven responds rubbing his chin deep in thought. He listens to the other man’s plan and deems it suitable to proceed, “Alright that is true we are indeed a lot more intelligent than these utter buffons so that is something we have over them. Infiltration does sound like the best bet here if we’re able to sneak through and pretend like I’m one of them why we’d have the upper hand I’d say. In addition, my acting skills are completely phenomenal. I once performed in a rendition of 'A Midwinter’s Day Nightmare' as a child".


“Now then”, he says, jumping a little, pumping himself up with gusto and energy taking a look at the man he takes his lantern and jacket placing it over his shirt. He clasps his face trying to get into character further deepening his voice slightly.



“I am a member of the sandworms mwahaha, I do foolish things because I am dumb and evil”, he says confidently.

He then slowly sets out towards the guard trying to be slow and careful as he approaches hoping his excellent disguise and acting abilities can help him make this go smoothly.

The guard turned to see Nieven walk towards the guard he did not even lift the lantern in his hand trying not to bother the Bogskippers anymore. "Jack?" The guard called out squinting He looked in the dark. "Hay Jack I would get back to your spot before Boss punches us both." Suggested the man in hush tones.

Griffin was making his way around trying to get closer to the Guard that Nieven was tricking. The plan looked like it was working. It looked too good. Griffin wondered what he was missing and why was this so easy. The mud worms could not be this stupid thought Griffin. Getting into position Griffin started [1] Griffin drew forth the energies from the world around him, tapping into the other domains outside of his own. Then create a medium-sized orb of ice in his hands. Griffin then fires forth an orb of magical energy of Ice. It damage froze the guard covering the guard in ice.

The guard's skin burned and cracked with the cold and his joints stiffened. The guard could not even yell the guard just body shook and his teeth chattered. The guard fell to his knees trying to ball up to recover from the cold.

[1] Chromatic Blast -Ice

Nieven walked up and played up his role strutting around like a real goon and contorting his face into a scowl as hard as he could whispering, “Hey my fellow goon, I’m sorry about that, and ah yes me name’s Jack. I had to take a number one out in the woods real quick you know how it is. Me and my darned bladder I swear it’ll be the death of me someday, don’t worry I’ll get right back to work at once. Can’t have the boss beating us up now can we”, he chuckles before walking into the previous guard’s position.



He looked around trying to catch sight of his partner in this mission as he did so, he hoped that Griffon was doing his part. Although he wouldn’t blame the adventurer for leaving honestly, he would too.



“So fellow Mud Worm, how's your night been? Have you Seen any suspicious things going on lately? I for one think it’s pretty quiet and that everything is uninfiltrated”.



The Sylvan elf kept the other man talking enough for him to be fully distracted and for Griffin to land a clean shot. The fellow froze over quickly giving the two no resistance as he fell victim to freezing. Quickly Nieven whispered, “Get his clothes and use them as a disguise, come on let’s move quickly”.

The guard got covered in ice the guard's His skin froze and cracked with the cold and his joints stiffened. The guard could not even yell. The guard's body just shook and his teeth chattered. The guard fell to his knees trying to ball up to recover from the cold.

The guard lay there Griffin did not give him a chance to recover. Griffin ran out and [1] Griffin holding out his hand Griffin caused three small orbs to form, an orb made of Fire, Water, and Wind. Then Griffin fires the three orbs at the guard striking the guard with all three orbs. First to hit was the wind then water and the fire.

The guard's body jerked around when each orb hit his body. the man gritted his teeth crying in pain trying to yell but all that came out was a horse breath of dry cold air.

Griffen got to the man and kicked him in the head trying to knock him out. Griffin looked around to see if the main hut had maybe seen something or heard something. the noise from the hut sounded like people drinking and laughing. Griffin sighed in relief. Griffin motioned for Nieven to come back over. "That went better than I thought it would," said Griffin relieved it did not go bad.


[1] Tri-Beam