DM Carbide's From Shore to Sea (Inactive)

Game Master John Woodford

Nothing more than that whoever lived here was a good enough alchemist to make a homunculus, but maybe had some problems. There are no other arcane auras detectable in the house.

The cask is filled near to the brim with a transparent green liquid. It also contains a body that looks like a deformed merfolk, curled into a fetal position. The fighter estimates it would be less than three feet long if it were stretched out.

Huh. Gross.

Ummm, I think it just died. I don't wanna touch it to find out, though. Quiven takes one last look around and then suggests that they move on, perhaps to talk to the guy they saw earlier.

I don't wanna touch it to find out, though.

Bogenschützen puts down the cask gently on the floor and takes two deliberate steps away, eying it suspiciously.

"I think it's perfectly safe." Rah steps closer and pokes at the creature with an alchemy tool.

Assuming it actually is safe and doesn't jump out and attack..

"Anyway, I agree. Let's try to find whoever that was we saw over near the docks."

The creature does not move, and in fact seems to be slowly dissolving back into the liquid.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Maddie seems rather blasé about the homunculus for whatever reason, and she merely comments, "Whoever lived here appears to have had some skill."

"But yes, we should examine the docks now."

You wind your way down the path towards the beach, past row on row of houses. The last section of the row before you reach the beach seems to have been torn down recently. Unlike at least some of the other damaged houses up towards the cliff, no attempt seems to have been made to repair them or clear the debris.

Something catches Maddie's and Quiven's attention in the demolished houses--some objects caught in some of the damaged roof beams.

Hey, you see that? What is it? Quiven will point it out and try to figure out what it is.

The halfling trots off towards the fallen cottages. Embedded in some of the heavier pieces of wood are hooks that at first look like large cat's claws, with shreds of fishy-smelling flesh clinging to their thicker ends. It's the smell that gives it away; these are tentacle hooks from a very, very large squid.

"It would appear that something is riling up the creatures of the sea to attack this place and its residents. The crabs are not an isolated incident." Maddie deduces in a grave tone, after following Quiven to the demolished home, "I do hope we can find a number of survivors, if only we knew about the situation here sooner."

Calamari. Yummy. They ain't served that in prison.

After identifying the hooks, you return to the path. As you round the end of the last line of fallen houses, though, the figure on the dock seems to start, then tips forward into the water with only a little bit of a splash.

Hm. Don't see that every day... the archer mumbles to himself.

When he processes what happened, he shouts: Don't worry! I'll save you! Without hesitation, Bogenschützen runs to the water and dives in.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Swim: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Bogenschützen, the water is quite cold and turbid--you can't see more than a few feet in front of you, and you know from experience that if you get too far down you can get disoriented. There is no sign of the villager in the water as far as you can see (which, as noted above, isn't very far).

The archer's teeth start to chatter as he realizes the folly of his action.

You there? He yells, hoping the man can hear him.

Swim here, and I'll pull ya up! He reaches randomly in the water, hoping that he might get lucky and grab onto the stranger.

It's too cold here! You'll drown! Still yelling.

There is no sign of anyone besides you on the surface.

What are the rest of you doing?

Quiven runs down to the dock and yells, Did he fall in? Did YOU fall in? Anybody got a rope? Quiven tries to find the fallen diver.

Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30

"I might be able to navigate these waters easier." Rah takes out her spellbook and flips through it quickly. "Aha, yes." She touches a page and closes her eyes, and a moment later a brief glow emanates from the book.

Using an arcane point to swap a spell - alter self for mirror image.

Quiven, there is no obvious sign of anyone in the water except Bogenschützen. On the dock where you saw the crouching person, though, you easily note a pile of fish bones and a half-eaten raw fish.

ETA: There is a shout from behind you. "Hoy! Get him out of the water! 'S not safe!"

Rah turns around. "Of course it isn't. Giant crabs and such! What do you think he's doing?" She gestures to Bogenschützen. "Going for a swim?"

Maddie pulls her rope out of her haversack and tosses one end to the fighter, "You had best get out of there before hypothermia sets in."

She turns her attention to the new voice when it speaks.

Somewhat dejected about his failure to save the man, Bogenschützen makes his way to shore.

Swim: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

He says between chattering teeth: Whaddaya mean it ain't safe? All the more reason ta git after yer neighbor over yonder. He'll drown!

The speaker is a clean-shaven man in his late middle years, with a face that looks like it benefited (for lack of a better word) from several close encounters with heavy objects in his younger days. Thrust through his belt is a well-kept boarding axe. "My neighbor? Oh! No kin of mine...I hope. No, apart from yourselves, me, and those fool enough to go out fishing when the catch is so poor all the people of Blackcove are holed up in the lighthouse."

Maddie begins to coil her rope back into her backpack, "My name is Maddie Sykes and I am a cleric of Pharasma and a Pathfinder. My companions are also Pathfinders. Who are you sir? What can you tell us about what's going on here?"

"Nic Gavendi, town constable. Poor catches is all. Something stirs in the deeps, and the fish all flee! Haven't seen catches this bad for years!"

"Did you have a town alchemist that had a bit of trouble? Have you had any difficulties with giant squid?"

Constable. What about this man? We saw him dive in. Don't you want to save him? Did you know him? Get yer boat.

The constable lowers his voice and hisses, "Wasn't a man. Told you--something's stirring." He continues in a more normal tone of voice. "What brings you to Blackcove? Nothing much of interest here."

"Forgive me, but it seems like you forgot to answer my questions." Maddie points out politely.

Well, he was hungry, and seems like he knows where to find the fish. Quiven kicks at the fish remains with his foot.

The constable's eyes widen slightly at the sight of the partially-finished meal--not in surprise, but in the way of one who has a fear confirmed. "Didn't forget. Other folks can answer that better than I. And you didn't answer mine. We're not exactly obvious here."

"We ran into a young man who told us the troubles you were having here, and we've come to investigate and help you if we can." Maddie answers the man truthfully, "Would it be troublesome if we spoke to the people in the lighthouse?"

Muttering to himself under his breath, Bogenschützen opines: Just like prison. The screws don't care 'bout regular people. And he shakes his head as he gets out of the water.

Again, the archer isn't the brightest guy or the deepest thinker. All he knows is that "someone" dove into the ocean, and the constable isn't interested in either 1) helping the not-man, or 2) answering the party's questions without some degree of verbal evasion.

Picking up his bow, the archer trudges off towards the lighthouse. He's not in a hurry. He moves deliberately, as though daring the constable to try and stop him.

I'm not trying to stir up any trouble for the party. Just RPing the "convict and lawman" angle here. Bogenschützen has opinions about law enforcement. :-)

To the party: Let's go. Adler told us the 'Covers need help.

"Huh...so Adler got through. Yeah, that'd be best." He walks along with you, whistling a sprightly sea chanty. It echoes oddly, seemingly shifted into a minor key and sounding more like a dirge.

He leads you to a rather imposing tower at the end of a jagged stretch of rock jutting out several hundred feet from the shore. As you approach you can see that most of the paint has come off of the walls, perhaps removed by the pounding surf. Despite this the lighthouse is a bone white that stands out against the dark cliffs of the cove. There are large windows at the cardinal directions on the second floor. The red of the setting sun, peeping through the rain clouds to the west, is matched now by a bright scarlet light shining from the top story of the lighthouse. Its steadiness suggests an arcane origin.

"Huh...so Adler got through. Yeah, that'd be best." He walks along with you, whistling a sprightly sea chanty. It echoes oddly, seemingly shifted into a minor key and sounding more like a dirge.

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 17 Bogenschützen gives the constable a sidelong glance--mistrust is clearly in the archer's eyes.

The constable seems to be what he seems.

ETA: Let me clarify. The tune sounds fine as he's whistling it. The echoes are odd, though.

Maddie takes a moment to regard the lighthouse's design in case it's of particular interest.

Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Since the lighthouse seems perfectly mundane to Maddie, the cleric asks the constable, "Did you notice us from the lighthouse or were you on some type of patrol when you found us?"

"I was out to see the fishers safely docked, for they'll be home soon--even though the catch is gone bad, we still have to try. Once I introduce you I'll be back to that."

What are the dimensions of the lighthouse? If we're moving into close quarters, I'll put my longbow away.

Rah listens to the conversation, but has little to offer. Gavendi seems hesitant to give too many details, but most small villages have a hierarchy among the locals that isn't always obvious, and she assumes he is just deferring to the local leader.

As they approach the lighthouse, she takes notice of the beacon and casts a spell to detect magical auras in the area, wondering what sort of magic might be at work here.

Spellcraft or Knowledge Arcana: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (19) + 15 = 34

The ground floor of the lighthouse is about fifty feet in diameter, and is a single open space that looks like it was designed to survive being under water at high tide. Along one wall is a rusted iron staircase that rises fifteen feet to the next floor. As you enter you can hear low voices from upstairs. It sounds like quite a crowd, though none are willing to speak up.

Rah, you're not familiar with the exact spell or spells used, but you recognize the source--the Chelaxians use it often for their lighthouses.

Upon hearing the voices of several people, Bogenschützen stows his bow in his Efficient Quiver. Not wanting to panic or otherwise incite or provoke the locals, he proceeds up the stairs without any weapons in hand.

Hey. Adler sent us to help. What's up?

Though sincere in his desire to help, the archer is not the smoothest talker...

Maddie also moves up the stairs behind the archer, "Greetings, we are Pathfinders who wish to help you with your current situation. Could someone please tell us what's going on?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24

Bogenschützen steps aside as Maddie steps up. He thinks to himself: Man. She talks real good. Folks sure ain't like that in prison.

Do the 'Covers seem fearful? Hostile? Apathetic? Resigned to their fate? Something else? We're not in combat, so I'll take 20 to observe them whilst other party members chat them up. :-)

They're fearful, yes, but they're trying not to show it. It takes you a while to get a good read on them because of that.

And I've been hammered at work and at home the past couple of days; will try to get something more substantial up tomorrow. Most of the time I can deal with all the campaigns I'm in....

No problem! :-) Real life happens.

The next level is slightly narrower, only 40 feet across. It's hard to tell its size, though, as it's crowded with pallets and people. A somewhat plain young woman with similar complexion to the constable approaches and greets the party. "Adler sent you? A sad tale was his. The sea nurtures us all, but it was on him that the burden of paying the debt fell." She pauses and looks at each of you in turn before continuing. "I am Lira."

At Maddie's words, some of the tension seems to drain from the room.

"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lira. We cannot help but notice the misfortune that has befallen your community here. What can we do to help? I'm happy to provide my healing skills if you have anyone in need." Maddie offers in a calm, serene voice with a friendly smile.

"Well met Lira. I am Rah." Rah gives a small bow. "We were traveling along the coast when we came upon and rescued Adler from a pack of giant crabs. He told us his story, and about the troubles here. We are Pathfinders, used to adventure and solving problems, and thought we might help you solve yours. We planned on asking for your help to make passage to Nal-Kashel, which Adler believed to be the source of these troubles."