"Oh ho ho! Finally, someone else with a good sense of humor! I like this woman."
Kristeva doesn't know if to smile or to cut in pieces the annoying fellow.
Kasshyk listens to the others with a scaly long-toothed grin while picking up the scrolls. He holds them up and indicates that someone should take a closer look at them.
"Theesss are perhapsss magick-al...?"
"Maybe they are, maybe they aren't. Let's see."
Kasskyk follows suit.
As you all continue down towards the beach, a loud clatter is heard from a nearby cottage.
Several furrows are visible in the sand on the beach that disappear into crashing surf.
-
Somebody know what kind of sea monster are more common in this region?
Kasshyk makes his way into the cottage to investigate the sound.
The door doesn't budge, but isn't locked. It feels like something is obstructing the door on the other side.
"I got nothin'."
"How about we break the door hinges and pull it out... Preferably without standing in front of it... Who knows what is on the other side."
Finding the door blocked, Kasshyk considers Molly's wise suggestion, but first circles the cottage to search for another means of entering.
There are shuttered windows located on the side. They are locked.
Kasshyk goes around the building once, swiftly, before returning and looking at the hinges to the door. He wields his greataxe and moves to the side as he stretches out to rear back and hack into first the top and then the bottom hinge.
You mutilate the defenseless door hinges.
On the other side was a buildup of sand that could have been overcome with a bit of force.
Within you see the cause of the noise; a bunch of crabs have knocked over a bowl. Of more interest is an altar draped in seaweed and adorned with cowrie shells and urchin spines.
Molly smiles with cheerful curiosity.
"This is interesting... Let's see what else we can find!"
Kristeva investigate the altar and it surroundings. 20 in survival and perception for 27 and 32.
Nothing else of interest is found within the home. Molly does however spot a humanoid on the docks...but in the split second it takes to blink, the person vanishes.
"Did anyone else see that?" says Molly, buggy-eyed.
"Yeah, it's a big ol' altar. Kinda hard to miss."
"I mean the creature!" exclaims Molly "It was right there! Then it was gone in a blink!"
"Yes, I'm sure it was Molly." Dorian says placatingly, looking back at the others and mouthing "Crazy" while he twirls his finger around his head when he thinks she isn't looking.
Kasshyk looks at the others, then towards the docks where Molly had been facing, and then finally at Molly herself.
"Where you sssee theess...creature? On ssshore? On thee dock?"
Kasshyk gestures helpfully for emphasis, then begins moving towards the shoreline, by the docks and pier. He glances around frequently, looking to the ruined houses he passes as he goes.
"By the docks..." Molly replies to Kashik, while ignoring Dorian's gesture. "...It was pretty tall and slim for a human... Maybe it was an elf?"
Only one way to find it out - Kristeva go to the Docks.
Kristeva approaches the docks and discovers what appears to be a meal of raw fish left unfinished.
Along the beach Kristeva can easily spot footprints indicating the beach is well traveled. As she is about to investigate further a man calls out to the group, approaching from the houses near the shore.
"I've got bad news for ya strangers if your here lookin for fish. We haven't had poor catch like this in years. Feels like something stirred up the water and made the fish flee." The man is accompanied by three other villagers who eye you with distrust. The leader is an ugly aging man and carries a sharp looking axe on his belt.
"Careful on the docks, we haven't had the wood to replace the rotten planks in awhile."
Kasshyk looks to the rest of the party, and then to the group of villagers. He starts moving towards them and answers back,
"We have come to aid Black Cove, sssir. I am called Kasshyk."
He motions to the others to join him. He then looks around and says,
"Where isss the resst of your people?"
"How do you know the fish didn't just wise up and decide they were tired of being caught?"
So, where is everyone else in this town?
"Well I reckon they're getting ready for tonight's meeting at the lighthouse after sunset. It's important for a community to stay connected right?" The man scratches his head.
"The name's Nicolaius. I pass for the Blackcove's constable." Nicolaius seems to mull something before speaking again.
"Well I'm sure you're here for a reason. Best show up at the meeting...if the folks take a liking to you, maybe you can help us out."
"Yes, let's go meet everyone. Are there actually enough people left here to qualify as a community?"
"Sure, let's check the townspeople..." says Molly, before she adds the following words in a whisper, so that only Kasshyk can hear... "We might want to scout around and see these people before they see us, though... There is something odd going on..."
Kasshyk nods almost imperceptibly at Molly's words. He too feels a sense of foreboding.
"I'll be right after you..."
Molly takes some time to scout around the village, trying to spot anything suspicious or dangerous about it or its residents.
Nicolaius grumbles about Dorian's question but leaves after muttering about how Blackcove will weather this storm as its had in the past.
Molly scouts around the village and learns what there is to know about the remnants of Blackcove. For the most part, all able bodied men and women are gone which leaves the elderly taking care of the children. The exception are the few leaders left in the town whom are Nicolaius, a priestly woman, and an ugly lighthouse keeper.