The olf frowns as the whaler follows him in instead of helping to keep the others moving, but there's nothing to be done about it at this point . . ..
Given how close the door is, the olf holds position, watching for targets that may need feathering.
The Party - 3rd Day of Readying, Moonday
1st Floor of House
Naia slides into the window steps into the house and lets her eyes adjust to the room. Rabalar and D'ogryn give her a look like "what the hell!" but quickly go back to keeping their eyes on the closed door on the west wall. D'ogryn nor Rabalar hear nothing else but wind and rain.
Thout turns to Edan as his eyes stay on the yard. "You and Soros go! I will be in last encase there is still a chance of ambush from the yard."
Edan taps Thout on his shoulder..."Aye...very well. He turns to Soros and moves to the other side of the window by the door. "You are next my friend, get inside and out of the rain...you look like a beached sponge." He makes a low laugh and Soros turns and his hair wipes out spraying water as he gives Edan a look...then he turns to the window and slides inside as quietly as he can taking his time.
"Move over. I need to get inside and out of this damn rain!" Soros whispers to Naia.
As he does he slips inside lifting his robes and then sliding inside then standing up and looking around at his three companions. He says a small prayer to the gods for giving him a dry, damp, cobweb infested room.
Unsure of the problem nor the cause for umbrage, Naia shrugs, only to be moved on a little by a dripping Soros. Bow stowed, Naia hefts her harpoon, aiming it at any available internal door.
The Party - 3rd Day of Readying, Moonday
As Soros steps forward into the room to give Edan room to slide into the window all hell breaks loose.
The entire room explodes into a maniacal laughter of an old man's voice. It rasps and screams with a hideous sound of anger and madness.
HIDEOUS LAUGHTER...Who is it that invades my HOME!....Who is it that enters my ABODE!....Intruders! HIDEOUS LAUGHTER... You will suffer!!!"HIDEOUS LAUGHTER...
As this occurs from D'ogryn's left side out of the fireplace something catches your eye; a flash of something iridescent, pale green, and luminescent at the same time. As D'ogryn turns to see it as his back slams against the east wall of the house from the sudden sounds exploding from above and then all around him he sees the transparent image of an old decayed man wrapped in chains turning first to the left and then to the right and suddenly more shouting and laughter comes! The old man's face seems to be laughing but his jaw just drops half cocked as rotten teeth fall out and his dessicated tongue flaps all about! Rabalar, Naia and Soros both jump as everything happens so quickly. Eden steps back and goes for his short sword as he was trying to enter the window. Thout from outside hears the burst of noise and chaos and shouts "What in the hells is that!" As he turns to face the house shocked by the outburst of horrible screams and laughter coming from the window!
HIDEOUS LAUGHTER..."Welcome Fools!...Welcome to your Death!" Followed again by another bout of hideous laughter. Again the ghost turns and faces the party and the hideous laughter continues!
The Party - 3rd Day of Readying, Moonday
1st Floor Map
Perception rolls
Edan
Naia
Soros
Initiative rolls
D'ogryan
Edan
Naia
Rabalar
Soros
Thout
Ghost
The Party - 3rd Day of Readying, Moonday
1st Floor Map
Edan turns to Thout it as Thout looks on at the window. "It is one of the damned! A ghost or phantom!" He puts his hand on his short sword out of instict to protect himself but knows full well it will not help. His off hand goes to his holy symbol of Berna as he races across his mind to find something to utilize to offer aid to his companions!
Soros snaps back towards the window in a quick step jarred by the suddenness of both the onslaught of the threats and laughter as well as the appearance of the apparition. His hands come up as if to cast some magic but uncertain of what to do to protect himself or his friends.
The ghost seems to whirl about again counterclockwise as if almost facing Rabalar repeating his threats! HIDEOUS LAUGHTER...Who is it that invades my HOME!....Who is it that enters my ABODE!....Intruders! HIDEOUS LAUGHTER... You will suffer!!!"HIDEOUS LAUGHTER...
The Party - 3rd Day of Readying, Moonday
1st Floor Map
Rabalar pops backward into the corner of the wall hears the awful sounds erupt from literally everywhere and then the appearance of the undead spirit confirms his worst nightmares....A ghost or worse is the unnatural guardian of this haunted house! Rabalar screams in fright BY THE GODS IT IS REAL! IT IS A CREATURE OF DARKNESS! RUN! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!" With his back to the wall he realizes the door is at his back as well...a way out...a way to escape this hell he is now in!
As the sailing vessel pulls out of the dock a lone passenger watches it ease out of the dock as the rowers pull the vessel away from the dock, before turning to face away from the shore, and soon afterwards it moves out of sight.
Even after it disappears off the horizon the heavily dressed, slender form stares out past it to where the Monmurgh Bay meets the Azure Sea. Those passersby around her (as it is very hard to disguise the feminine form, even with layers of clothing) who attempt to approach her are brushed off rudely. Still it is plain to see she is fairly tall and lean. Light reddish blond hair frames her angular cheekbones, while sky blue eyes peer from underneath her cloak, which she wears to protect her pale delicate skin. Certainly her Suel heritage runs very pure in her veins.
There it goes... she reflects upon the journey so far that brought her to this place, and the long, unknown path that still lay before her. I...I have never been so far away from home...yet it seems like it truly never was one. Ahhh how fleeting fortune is...
Feeling a stiff breeze picking up a shiver runs through her body, despite the heavy clothes. Watch the rapidly setting sun she turns away from the docks and proceeds down the walkway and into the town of Saltmarsh, the clicking of her heeled boots echoing around her.
I had best find lodgings here, and also see if any traveling companions wish to travel inland...trustworthy ones, that is... She reflects somberly, This long journey awaits me, and those I choose to travel with must prove themselves to me before I will assist them.
As the sailing vessel pulls out of the dock a lone passenger watches it ease out of the dock as the rowers pull the vessel away from the dock, before turning to face away from the shore, and soon afterwards it moves out of sight.
Even after it disappears off the horizon the heavily dressed, slender form stares out past it to where the Monmurgh Bay meets the Azure Sea. Those passersby around her (as it is very hard to disguise the feminine form, even with layers of clothing) who attempt to approach her are brushed off rudely. Still it is plain to see she is fairly tall and lean. Light reddish blond hair frames her angular cheekbones, while sky blue eyes peer from underneath her cloak, which she wears to protect her pale delicate skin. Certainly her Suel heritage runs very pure in her veins.
There it goes... she reflects upon the journey so far that brought her to this place, and the long, unknown path that still lay before her. I...I have never been so far away from home...yet it seems like it truly never was one. Ahhh how fleeting fortune is...
Feeling a stiff breeze picking up a shiver runs through her body, despite the heavy clothes. Watch the rapidly setting sun she turns away from the docks and proceeds down the walkway and into the town of Saltmarsh, the clicking of her heeled boots echoing around her.
I had best find lodgings here, and also see if any traveling companions wish to travel inland...trustworthy ones, that is... She reflects somberly, This long journey awaits me, and those I choose to travel with must prove themselves to me before I will assist them.
** spoiler omitted **
If you reread my initial post with the three of you it will help to get a sense of your initial relationships with Peran and Antas. You don’t know anyone else in Saltmarsh.
The Docks of Saltmarsh
3rd Day of Readying, Moonday - Midday
The trip to Saltmarsh had been a bitter-sweet journey for the young priest. He was excited to be out in the world, and finally being given a mission to help his brethren and the chapel, but being on the ship also reminded him of his youth and fishing with his father. The sway of wind and wave came back to him swiftly, and he even helped out with the crew.
Now he was in Saltmarsh, and he knew he should waste no time in starting his preaching, but Antas' suggestion of travelling with the sage Ferona struck a chord deep within him.
"Well...I should be starting my sermons to the people of the village...but as you say a proper escort to her destination would be the right thing to do!"
Ferona, lost in her thoughts, nearly does not pick up the words of the young priest and she quickly hurries back to where the two holy men awaited her.
Don't be such a daft fool. You know naught else here but these two holy men and such honor is a rare commodity...
"Forgive me...I...I needed a moment to clear my head." Her smile is hesitant yet genuine. "I, and indeed all of us, are far away from home."
Shivering briefly as the winds pick up she motions for the men to follow, "We need to find a place to shelter for the evening then see about finding a guide to take us where I need to go."
Not keen on becoming ghost-pie, Naia hurls her solid harpoon solidly at the transparent apparition:
[+1 BAB, +3 Str +1 Weapon Training]
[+4 THF Str, +1 Weapon Training]
The Party - 3rd Day of Readying, Moonday
1st Floor Map
Naia hears the sudden outburst and her warrior instincts fire off and she drops into a defensive stance expecting the worse and then seeing the worse as the apparition burst from the fireplace right by D'ogryn. She begins to panic and then mentally shields herself as she sees Rabalar collapse in the corner and Edan and D'ogryn fall back into defensive stances. Poor Rabalar was caught completely unaware as he was completely invested in making sure the door was covered.
Naia sees the horrible phantasm as it spins back and forth around the room looking for its first victim. Shaken initially as was Edan and D'ogryn she looks to rally her companions and figure out how to get of this mess!
D'ogryn kept his wits about him, remembering something that was in hte abck of his mind as the entered the house.
The screaming and laughing and the old bastard himself...coming at me...well I jump out of that door and ran...kept running too!...
He looks at the creature
[i]This is what Nesh ran into...he was telling the truth. No one else mentioned it so what is this thing doing then.
He was telling the truth. He did run into this thing...
[dice=Will she or won't she?]1d20 + 2
Not keen on becoming ghost-pie, Naia hurls her solid harpoon solidly at the transparent apparition:
[dice=Huh!!!]1d20 + 1 + 3 + 1 [+1 BAB, +3 Str +1 Weapon Training]
[dice=Skw-Thunk!!!]1d8 + 4 + 1 [+4 THF Str, +1 Weapon Training]
The Party - 3rd Day of Readying, Moonday
1st Floor Map
D'ogryn initially surprised he didn't know what was going on as all hell broke loose and chaos ensued around him, above him, and in front of him. As D'ogryn realized what was actually happening he withered back into the wall against the fireplace. His resolve broken as he realized the truth of his situation!
All D'ogryn could think of was getting the hell out of this room and away from this thing before he died in this room! "Get the hell out of here! Now! Go! We have to flee before we all DIE!"
The Party - 3rd Day of Readying, Moonday
1st Round
1st Floor Map
The Ghost turns to the northeast and again the sounds of hideous screams, laughter and threats follow once more! HIDEOUS LAUGHTER...Who is it that invades my HOME!....Who is it that enters my ABODE!....Intruders! HIDEOUS LAUGHTER... You will suffer!!!"HIDEOUS LAUGHTER...
The Ghost quickly turns and spins towards D'ogryn and again the horrible laughter and calls for revenge spill forth as the Ghost moves towards D'ogryn! His jaw dangling from the side of his face as his innards flap about in the opening of his abdomen.
Naia sees the thing turn and launches itself at D'ogryn and her only instinct was to throw her harpoon with all of her strength; which flies true at the Ghost as it propels itself once more at the poor cook. It flies right through the ghost's body which seems to smear and distort and then reconfigure itself and become whole again as it keeps moving towards the poor cook who sees the thing coming at him! Naia sees this happening and her resolve seems to fade as she realizes her best was not good enough against this horrible thing! The harpoon is now stuck in the northeast corner as it sinks with a loud THUD! in the wall.
The Party - 3rd Day of Readying, Moonday
1st Floor Map
The Docks of Saltmarsh
3rd Day of Readying, Moonday - Midday
As Ferona makes her way back to the two men it appears the Excise Officer and Harbor Master are finished with the ship. They make their way down the plank walk and as they do the Excise Officer stops as he goes by the three passengers of the White Wind. He seems to notice Peran's holy symbol as it catches his eye.
"Well Meet to you." He says in a deep voice as he puts his thick calloused hand out to Antas, who is nearest to him, and gives a smile only a big man with a beard can give. "If you are looking for a good place to find a room you go to the Merry Mermaid which is just over there." He points east at a big building on the south side of the road they are standing on. The other man chimes in says "Aye...or the Traveller's Rest be more to your liking. Quieter for you if you wish to pray or study." The other man, you believe to be the harber master, states as he looks down at Peran's holy symbol and towards Antas. "We don't get many holy men and most are often unwelcomed in these times." He looks to his big companion who nods in agreement and turns back to the three of you. He points to the other man; "This is Brenden Freed our newly appointed Harbor Master. As you look at Brenden you see a man with experience even for one in his early twenties. His left eye has a patch over it and a nice scar sits under it and from Peran's guess a sword gave it to him. Peran and Antas can see this man has had several serious wounds including one on his off shoulder from how he moves is arm. He wears a saber and a fighting dagger and carries himself as if he knows how to use them but not in a way that is bosterious but instead one that is use to carry them on a routine basis. His hand naturally stays near the hilt of the blade but not close enough to appear threatening. The other man, a big flanish man in his mid to late thirties is seasoned as well but the experience that marks the Harbor Master is not there in the older man who chimes in once more; "Uler is my name and I am the Sergent of the Excise Watch. I would recommend you find room and board quickly...storm be brewing out there and it will be upon us in short time." The Harbor Master again speaks realizing that how they introduced themselves could seem a little threatening. "We don't mean to offend...it is just that the town folk here are a little suspicious of holy people new to our town. With this sickness all about it seems some of your kind are to busy finding the worse in people instead of helping. People here don't like that and it has gotten...well ugly on occasion in the past." He seems to try and grin but doesn't appear to know if you are one or the other at the moment and the big man by him seems to be in the same conundrum.
|
Antas accepts the hand shake and returns it smiling back saying with quiet determination and ernstwhile honesty Priest Peran be a fine man an from the deacon o St Cuthbert himself he comes assigned to do good for yer fine town o Saltmarsh. Me I came with the wind an the voice of a vision leadin me ever onward. Me Da says to follow such things always an here I am.
The Docks of Saltmarsh
3rd Day of Readying, Moonday - Midday
"A sickness you say? What might it be? Do not tell me the Black Miasma has returned once again, or perhaps the Wood Chills? If there is anything I can do to help, I would be more than willing to do so. My powers are still minimal, but I am sure as St. Cuthberts presence grows in this town, HE will grant me the power to heal and protect the citizens of Saltmarsh."
The Party - 3rd Day of Readying, Moonday
1st Floor Map
Ferona pauses irresolutely here, unsure whether to speak up, or even what to say here. Peran's words trigger a memory of a promise made long ago and seems to open a floodgate of words.
"That...that is the purpose of my travels. To learn more of these sicknesses and the root causes of them. My research has led me here now, and to see those who have also spent effort in learning more of these diseases. Any knowledge you have will be useful in our efforts in treating, and Gods willing, curing these deadly plagues."
As D'ogryn leads the others inside, Thout turns his attention to their surroundings. The rain runs down the side of his face and he blinks to clear his eyes. He sees D'ogryn remove the loose and rotten boards, but then Thout turns his back to house and looks around. He peers out towards the sea, searching for danger with every lightning strike. He looks up at the roofline and towards the edges of the house, alert to any movement or odd shape. He quickly looks over his shoulder when he hears a scraping sound, but sees that it is just Rabalar's pack rubbing lightly against the frame. "Nothing there. Calm down," he says to himself and looks out over the field once more.
The loud, maniacal laughter is the last thing Thout expected. "Do goblins laugh when fighting?" He immediately pivots to see the figure cackling and moving, moving unnaturally smoothly about the room. He sees Naia's harpoon pass harmlessly through the apparition. "That is no goblin! And our weapons are useless!" He steels himself, but looks questioningly at the holy man, "Can you do something?" As Edan replies, Thout sizes up the window the others have passed through, judging how easily he could make an immediate ingress. His confederates are threatened, and he will not abandon them.
The creature was blocking the exit that he could see and the other door was not able to be opened. Desperate to do get away but with no where to go, D'ogryn pushes himself back into the corner trying desperately to make himself as small as possible.
Naia likewise shirks into a wall, fumbling desperately for the mace at her belt.
The Party - 3rd Day of Readying, Moonday
1st Floor Map
Edan
The Party - 3rd Day of Readying, Moonday
1st Floor Map
Edan turns to Thout and points to the door. "Get the door open Thout! The olf is behind it! He turns to the window and shouts inside as he sees the panick take over in his friends! Naia out the window! Out the window now!
Edan looks into the room and through all the confusion he tries to quickly determine what is going on in the room. He can not determine what is going on other than this thing is flying around and scaring the entire party that is in the room out of their mind.
Soros
The Party - 3rd Day of Readying, Moonday
1st Floor Map
Soros sees the horrible thing and turns on D'ogryn and his will to try and understand the situation falters and he bolts towards the first opening he sees to get out of this hell. He bolts to the door and grabs the handle and quickly turns the handle, swings open the door and bolts into what appears to be a cobweb infested hall that smells of rodent dung and mildew. None of which concerns the young wizard as anything is better than this room!
RE
THN
The Docks of Saltmarsh
[b[3rd Day of Readying, Moonday - Midday[/b]
Brenden turns to Antas and smiles, "It is good to hear you have come to help. We have had our share of problems as of late. With goblins attacking travelers along the Old Coast Road but hopefully that has been stopped." Uler nods in agreement. "Hopefully that is the case but we won't know until the hunting party returns..." Brenden seems to agree with a solemn look on his face.
Brenden turns to both the young priest and the young lady. "It is not the Miasma at least I am told by our local priest that is the case. It is something worse. We have been lucky so far as we have not had an outbreak here but there have been outbreaks all around us. Some say it the black arts that brought it...I don't know...but I have heard captain's tales of other cities and ports and it is has bad as those dark days I fear master priest."
The crack of thunder can be heard from the south. As each of you turn you can see a line of black clouds rolling in from the ocean...lightning flashes for miles on both sides followed by the faraway echo of thunder.
The Docks of Saltmarsh
3rd Day of Readying, Moonday - Midday
"That is very useful to know. If the disease is mutating to a new virulent strain...", Ferona's voice trails off with a worried expression. "As for the black arts being responsible for the outbreak, I would need to research this further. In my experience those who practice the arts are much fewer than proclaimed by those ignorant of such. Still I believe talking with your priests would be fruitful."
Glancing back at the threatening clouds Ferona waves her companion to follow. "We need to find this Inn else we be drenched. Not something I look forward to! I wonder if this hunting party has encountered any with these strains of the Plague..."
The Docks of Saltmarsh
3rd Day of Readying, Moonday - Midday
Peran listens to the woman speak and is mesmerized by what she is saying. He does not understand most of it, but she does seem to know something about diseases.
"I agree...let's get to the Inn and out of this weather. I too would like to meet the spiritual leaders of this town, if only to ask permission to give my sermons to the people."
Peran heads towards the Inn with his two new companions.
Panic being what it is, the olf goes to open the door so that he can flee back into the yard. It doesn't budge, though, as external doors open out, and this one is also boarded shut from the outside. He bounces off of it, trying to force it open with all the might panic provides, but makes no headway, turning and looking for another way AWAY.
The Party - 3rd Day of Readying, Moonday
1st Floor Map
Rabalar spins trying to find another way out of the room and away from this fell thing.
The Docks of Saltmarsh
[b[3rd Day of Readying, Moonday - Midday[/b]
The breeze has picked up and the smell of rain is heavy on the air. You can see now that rain is coming and it is coming with a heavy storm. The waves are now picking up and the ships are rocking back and forth riding the waves that the storm is bringing in.
The Docks of Saltmarsh
3rd Day of Readying, Moonday - Midday
"A ghost and goblins working together? They sneak by him every time? So far, it hasn't actually hurt anyone? Curious..." The thoughts race through Thout's mind.
---
Thout eyes the window and makes ready to jump through it. Before he takes action, however, he hears Edan speak and changes his plan. He assesses the strength of the door and makes his move, "Rabalar, I'm coming for the door!"