Thout looks up the stairs at D'ogryn on the second floor. "'E's too far up, so nay, not yet. At dis point, best to stick together 'til we know what dey find."
No one up here on the landing...no telling what we will run into. It is best for everyone to get up here and proceed.
Looking back down the stairs at Thout, waving him and the others up the stairs. His fingers pointing to where they should walk to minimize their noise.
|
Antas grins at the priest of Kord giving the fellow a nod at the sizing up and a wink and looking at his well used and polished holy symbol and large hammer and shrugs saying I am no skilled deceiver to be sure honored council, but be sure my hammer will lend a hand for my friends and their cause as well as that of the righteous. Antas says with a bit of passion in his voice
Peran breathes a sigh of relief as his two new companions both agree to help out the council.
"I am most agreeable with assisting this council and the town in any difficulties that they might be facing. As some of you know the chapel to St. Cuthbert was to be a temporary structure while the temple was being rebuilt, but unfortunately, the town council of Seaton decided its monies were better spent elsewhere, and the lay members of the church had been decimated during the siege and sacking of the city. Anything that I can do to bring the glory of St. Cuthbert to the people and gain their respect and possible assistance is a worthy cause for me...as well as striking evil from the land, as St. Cuthbert has commanded all his follows!"
Ferona glances to each of the priests in turn, the color drained from her face, her thoughts coming in a jumbled mass. How could they have discovered...I had been so careful, I thought...Still powerful magicks can uncover many secrets...
Taking a few calming breaths here to compose herself, she looks directly at Carl and Uthrina as she speaks. "Yes what they speak of me is true. One lesson I was quick to learn is the importance of secrecy, especially concerning the arcane dweomercraft and those who practice it. While I am not at liberty to divulge the nature of my mission...which does require I travel further away from Saltmarsh...I do have leeway as to when I need to complete my mission. Also I am as quick as you are to see this Plague dealt with once and for all!" She also remembers the final instructions provided to her by her teacher: "Do good when you can." "Please to tell of the need Saltmarsh faces and I shall assist you as I am able."
Uthrina seems to notices the initial response from Ferona as Hoskin spoke. "Don't underestimate Councilman Hoskins...he is a sly fox and information is like wind in his sails. From what I gathered he learned about all three of you from the ships crew... If you don't know this...ships are no place for secrets...idle chatter and talk around sailors lends to few secrets. Sailors are good at gossip and rumors...both of which come from listening." She gives a nod as if it is advice that should be headed in the future. The women has a gruff voice...she would not be mistaken for an elf if it was by voice alone you tried to identify her. Ferona notices the long vertical scar running down the side of her neck. "The crew spoke highly of all three of you. The captain, a wise old waverunner, also did some asking around in Seaton about the two of you before taking you on as guests on his ship." He looks at Ferona and Antas..."You will find that captains and crews don't like troublemakers and misfortune to come on their ships so they tend to get to know the people they allow to board their ships."
Thout spots D'ogryn's signal and turns to the others, "Follow me. Step where I do." He climbs the stairs, pointing out the spots D'ogryn instructed them to use.
Antas, Ferona, Peran - 4th Day of Readying, Godsday (worship day)
Late Afternoon
High Priestess Lyra Ivessa; Pelor
Lyra waits for the Priestess of Procan to finish and picks up where she stops. "It is blessing that the halls of St. Cuthbert have sent you Brother Peran and I consider it a good deal of fortune that Heironeous saw fit to send you Antas as well. Lady Ferona, I am not very knowledgeable of the White Sages of Aerdi but Hoskins tells me that they are invaluable source of good and have deep ties to many other well intentioned people. I believe this is good fortune you have come to Saltmarsh. There are many strange happenings and misfortunes that have fallen upon us as of late. I and the Temple council believe they are not simply bad luck. Our town's guard has their hands full currently with a great many things. The temple council, working in conjunction of course, with the town council and guard wish to alleviate some of these duties by using young people like yourself with the knowledge and skill to be successful. There is also the matter of discretion... All the priests seem to nod in approval at this last comment.
She clears her throat politely and takes a sip of the cup at her side on the table. "Currently the Guard Commander is dealing with goblin raiding parties attacking innocent travelers and farmers outside the town. Fortunately we believe that matter has been taken care of by a similar group of young people. Well to be honest, it is a mix of locals and visitors but all of them are good of heart and strong of will from what I can tell. They were able to break a goblin raiding party from what I have been told and are now out cleaning up and tracking down any of the stragglers. Gods willing they will return soon and safely. However we have had several other incidents that have come to lite in the past few days that are deeply troubling. More so because we believe whoever is performing these vile acts is also a citizen that is well placed in our town. That presents a problem for the temple council. So we would like to have you assist us on this matter. If you are so inclined of course."
She takes another sip of her cup.
In the past three years we have had six young girls attacked and murdered in our town. Now initially many thought it was a rogue sailor or traveller that carried out the foul deed on the first two young ladies. However, we now have evidence that seems to point to a citizen of the Marsh. If you have not heard a young girl was found under the north docks in the water this morning. She was brutalized and her innocence was taken before she was murdered. She was the daughter of a merchant who does a great deal of business here and travels in for a few months at a time. He is well respected and his daughter's death is blow to our community. This was the first time he brought his teenage daughter. This is the second girl to die in a month and it seems to point to an escalation of violence by whoever is doing this. When we conducted an investigation and inspected the body we found a brooch in her hand that she must have pulled from her attacker. It is our first clue to any of these deaths. It is a not a common brooch and it would only be worn by a guildsman as it identifies them as a Saltmarsh Guildsman. Unfortunately the brooch is missing the pin that identifies which guild and the rank of the person. The girl was beaten, raped, and then stabbed repeatedly but she offered a good deal of resistance and we believe she might have marked her attacker. The problem is we can't do a house to house search with our town guard. It would send the wrong message and we believe the person would flee and the girls will not see justice. We also don't believe it is prudent to have our churches directly involved especially if it is a high ranking member of the town. Hoskins believes might be this might be the case and he also believe; and we believe this as well, that he knew this young girl by some means. The wounds she had on her were defensive in nature except for the final blows and the rape itself. She was not knocked out or drugged from what we can tell."
She again clears her throat and it is obvious that the girl's death bothers her.
"We would like you to conduct an investigation under our guidance and under the careful watch of the Town Watch Commander. We would like to keep the temple council out of the public eye on this and we would like to keep the town council out of the loop. Only myself, the Lord Mayor, and Hoskins from the town council know about it. Only the Temple Council and the town watch commander know about this request as well. I believe this will allow you room to do an investigation without alerting the monster that is doing this to these young girls."
She pauses for a moment and you can see the other three priests nod in approval. Hoskins took a seat as Lyra begin speaking and you can tell he is now watching the three of you.
Thout spots D'ogryn's signal and turns to the others, "Follow me. Step where I do." He climbs the stairs, pointing out the spots D'ogryn instructed them to use.
[dice=Stealth]1d20+2
Ferona listens to the Priestess Lyra calmly, almost dispassionately, until you see the anger in her eyes reflected here. Her voice a deadly calm she replies, "Yes of course we will assist you in bringing this...animal to justice."
Glancing to her new found compatriots and seeing the same fervor she felt here she again addresses the priestess, "Priestess Lyra I presume you would allow us to examine the brooch. Perhaps I may glean some insight that may have been overlooked?" Glancing outside she notes the late hour adding further, "I believe a look at the area where the body was discovered would be the next logical step here." Already her mind is racing with various paths to travel down here but she elects to focus on the two most concrete items for the moment anyway.
Peran smiles and nods in agreement with his friends.
"Indeed we will help. Such a creature needs to be brought to justice for the crimes he has committed."
D'ogryn stand up from his inspection of the sink.
I do not think there will be any more of those things coming in from there.He comes into the room just as the others are investigating the corpse. He tries his best to see what he can see from the attack on the unsuspecting man. He looks at the wound to get an idea of which direction the attack came from and which weapon was used. He looks at the corpse and then at the lantern and then back again. holding a dagger up to the wound to judge the shape of the wound.
Hmm I have had some experience with such an attack...maybe I can see something that they did not see.
[dice=Perception]1d20 + 5He looks at the others and then to the stairs in the kitchen.
These stairs appear to be unused and that could be for any number of reasons. I am willing to take point and climb up the steps to make sure they are safe for everyone else. I think that is the best way to go. The front stairs are too open and we could be assaulted at any number of angles as we climb up. Not much cover going up. I am ready when you are...
D'ogryn stand up from his inspection of the sink.
I do not think there will be any more of those things coming in from there.He comes into the room just as the others are investigating the corpse. He tries his best to see what he can see from the attack on the unsuspecting man. He looks at the wound to get an idea of which direction the attack came from and which weapon was used. He looks at the corpse and then at the lantern and then back again. holding a dagger up to the wound to judge the shape of the wound.
Hmm I have had some experience with such an attack...maybe I can see something that they did not see.
[dice=Perception]1d20 + 5He looks at the others and then to the stairs in the kitchen.
These stairs appear to be unused and that could be for any number of reasons. I am willing to take point and climb up the steps to make sure they are safe for everyone else. I think that is the best way to go. The front stairs are too open and we could be assaulted at any number of angles as we climb up. Not much cover going up. I am ready when you are...
Hoskins
He smiles at the immediate response by the three young adventurers as he leans into the table.
"Good, good, I knew the three of you would! This will help our town if you can find who is doing this and bring them to justice." He looks to the priests and back to the companions. "Be discreet as much as you can but as of now you have the support of the town council and the temple council. If anyone asks why you are asking questions tell them it is by the authority of the Lord Mayor. I will give you a document that is signed to attest to this that will have the signature of the Lord Mayor." He pulls out a document from his vest, a folded parchment with a wax seal and stamp on the outside.
"Take this while you conduct your investigation. Use it wisely and only if you must and be discreet as much as possible."
Lyra
Lyra turns to Ferona and nods..."Good questions mistress Ferona. I believe the Watch Commander has the brooch and any other items that were found on the young girl's body. I will speak with Commander Geolin to arrange for you to see that brooch. I believe Hoskins can arrange to have
Sumerlan Benson, the Excise Officer, and Brendan Freed, the Harbor Master, meet you at the north end of the docks where she was found. My understanding is she more than likely washed in as the tide would have pushed her to the north under the docks. Fisherman loading up there boats found her and alerted the nearby Excise Watch that was on the dock at the time. The Watch and Harbor Master alerted the Town Guard."
She turns to Hoskins and he nods. "If you need assistance from the church go through Hoskins here at the Rest. It will give us more room to do support you if we are not directly involved."
Hoskins
The shirefolk chimes in quickly. "I can set up that meeting tonight. Which would probably be best at night...less prying eyes."
He turns to Lyra... "I have a meeting with Geolin in an hour I can ask for the brooch if you like and I can have Warfa pass it along to our young investigators if you like. I can also pass along that we have secured a group to conduct a deeper investigation into the murder of the girl. Lyra approves of Hoskins plan with a nod of her head.
Hoskin turns to the three and seems to have a thought cross his mind. "Use Warfa as your contact here that will allow us to work through the inn but not directly through me keeping the town council out of the mix for now. If you need anything approach Warfa he is a trusted partner and friend."
Ferona accepts the Lord Mayor's Document and quickly secures it in one of her pouches. She then reaches in a different pouch pulling out a sheet of parchment and a quill pen. Quickly she notates the contacts and also a pair of outlines, one for 'Body' and one for 'Brooch'
"Thank you for the information Priestess Lyra and your assistance Master Hoskins," Ferona quickly rises to her feet, "We must depart now as every moment takes any clues away from being discovered."
House
The Party - 3rd Day of Readying, Moonday
Late Evening
Ground Floor
Second Floor
HN 25
RE 15
PHN 15
D'ogryn peeks around the corner but the hallway goes from dim to dark very quickly just past the doorway. A flash of lightning through the windows on the east lights up the hallway and briefly shows that the hall extends to the end of the house and the main entry hall balcony (65 feet). There appears to be a hall to the west and the east about 35 feet away which much be the balcony over the entry room to the west and another hallway to the east.
Ferona accepts the Lord Mayor's Document and quickly secures it in one of her pouches. She then reaches in a different pouch pulling out a sheet of parchment and a quill pen. Quickly she notates the contacts and also a pair of outlines, one for 'Body' and one for 'Brooch'
"Thank you for the information Priestess Lyra and your assistance Master Hoskins," Ferona quickly rises to her feet, "We must depart now as every moment takes any clues away from being discovered."
Ferona accepts the Lord Mayor's Document and quickly secures it in one of her pouches. She then reaches in a different pouch pulling out a sheet of parchment and a quill pen. Quickly she notates the contacts and also a pair of outlines, one for 'Body' and one for 'Brooch'
"Thank you for the information Priestess Lyra and your assistance Master Hoskins," Ferona quickly rises to her feet, "We must depart now as every moment takes any clues away from being discovered."
Ferona turns to face Hoskins, "We need to make our way to the Docks immediately. Could you arrange for Benson and Freed to meet us straightaway? I believe the brooch is less time-critical so if you could have the Watch Commander be ready to receive our presence once we have finished our investigation of the Docks area, then we can proceed forthwith."
Thout is on high-alert, sure they're right on top of the goblins. He starts to sweat just a little and feels an incredible intensity as he looks around. "Rabalar, any tracks? Dese rooms been used? That noise came from somewhere. D'ogryn, what if ye inspect the door, then someone kicks de lit coin beneath te door whiles we open it? Anyone have a grenade ready?" He nervously starts spouting his thoughts as his stomach twists and tightens into a knot.
As has become his custom, Thout moves just past D'ogryn to provide cover during the inspection.
"'Til D'Og chooses to use the coin, I can't see much more than he can, so I can't tell. It is a big risk, but I think we are to the point we must take it."
Thout is on high-alert, sure they're right on top of the goblins. He starts to sweat just a little and feels an incredible intensity as he looks around. "Rabalar, any tracks? Dese rooms been used? That noise came from somewhere. D'ogryn, what if ye inspect the door, then someone kicks de lit coin beneath te door whiles we open it? Anyone have a grenade ready?" He nervously starts spouting his thoughts as his stomach twists and tightens into a knot.
[dice=Perception]1d20+6
As has become his custom, Thout moves just past D'ogryn to provide cover during the inspection.
Thout's gushing suddenly stops. He cocks his head, turning his ear toward the ceiling, and raises his finger to his lips before repeatedly pointing upwards. He then exaggeratedly mouths in the best Keoish he can manage, "Something's up there." He vigorously waves his arm at Edan, who is closest to the stairs, and mouths, "Careful."
D'ogryn takes the coin and starts to unwrap it enough that some light comes forth. Enough to allow him to inspect the door.
He looks at the ceiling trying to hear what is going on and maybe catch some visual sign of movement from above.
Shaking her head at the obstinacy of the careful, Naia follows up the shaky stairs, bow stowed and harpoon in hand. She waves Edan to follow and makes a sign with two fingers at her eyes for him to keep a careful eye behind.
Thout moves up to D'ogryn and taps him on the shoulder. In the lowest voice he can muster, he says, "Forget dis floor! I heard things movin' upstairs. De gobins are upstairs, I tell ye. Let's go get'em. You should have a grenade. Use d'er weapons against'em!" Casting about for any support for his argument, he turns to Rabalar, "Ye see any sign of d'em movin' up?"
Hoskins
Hoskins looks perplexed for a moment at Antas's request. Master Antas you are more than welcome to stay in your current accommodations as you conduct this investigation on the town's behalf. It is the least we can do for you. In regards to compensation, the town will cover your accommodations for the next few days while you do this for us. This will include two meals as well each day. Now if you want more meals that will come out of your own pocket. The churches have offered to cover your additional expenses each day. Twenty-five silver a day in total is what I believe was offered plus if you need to spend coin on softening tongues and such they will cover that as long as you log the purpose and cost.
He continues after looking to the priests around the table and gets confirmation from them.
"As for your purpose here if any asks. I think deception is best laced with some truth...If asked you are here on behalf of the Churches in Seaton and have been asked by the Merchant's guild representatives to investigate the death of his daughter as a third party. It happens to be the truth as the merchant's guild has spoken to us and we have indicated there is an investigation moving forward by the Town Watch."
"Forget dis floor! I heard things movin' upstairs. De gobins are upstairs, I tell ye. Let's go get'em. You should have a grenade. Use d'er weapons against'em!" Casting about for any support for his argument, he turns to Rabalar, "Ye see any sign of d'em movin' up?"
The young cook turns towards the half dwarf with his eyes closed. He slowly opens them up to allow his eyes to adjust to the brighter area that is behind him. He tilts his head to the side and tries to hear what it is Thout is talking about.
He does not hear anything out of place and points to the heap of rotten timber that lies in the southwest corner.
So far...that...is the only stairs going up that we have found on this floor. I say we move from room to room clearing them out as we go until we find another way up. The condition of those steps is not something even I would try to climb.
The Party - 3rd Day of Readying, Moonday
Late Evening
Ground Floor
Second Floor
HN 25
RE 15
PHN 15
Several moments pass as Thout, Rabalar and D'ogryn talk at the edge of the north hallway. First Rabalar hears the scuffling sound above, but a moment latter Thout and Naia hear it as well. All three look up at the ceiling...the sound is faint as if something moves around above them. It grows quiet after a few more moments...still and quiet. Edan, Soros, and D'ogryn don't hear it but they can tell that their companions that do are now looking to the ceiling above them.
D'ogryan
Naia
Rabalar
Thout
Edan
Soros
Thout looks towards the crumble of stairs and lets out a breath through clenched teeth, "Good point, D'ogryn. We could use a hook and rope, but dat's no way to start a fight. Rabalar, any goblin sign up 'ere?" The desire to get the goblins and complete the mission grinds on him, "We've been here too long already. Who knows what they have ready for us..."
Thout sees Rabalar look up to the ceiling just before the sound of scuffling reaches his own ears. "Dey're up dere." He looks around at everyone's reactions, "But we've got te find a better way. Let's find some othe' stairs."
Thout moves just past the door, giving D'ogryn cover for his checks.
EDIT:
Thout looks towards the crumble of stairs and lets out a breath through clenched teeth, "Good point, D'ogryn. We could use a hook and rope, but dat's no way to start a fight. Rabalar, any goblin sign up 'ere?" The desire to get the goblins and complete the mission grinds on him, "We've been here too long already. Who knows what they have ready for us..."
Thout sees Rabalar look up to the ceiling just before the sound of scuffling reaches his own ears. "Dey're up dere." He looks around at everyone's reactions, "But we've got te find a better way. Let's find some othe' stairs."
Thout moves just past the door, giving D'ogryn cover for his checks.EDIT:
Thout
Thout moves past the doorway and up the north hall and sets a position just past the door on the west wall. His movement is quiet and he makes hardly a sound as he moves into position. Awaiting D'ogryn he takes a deep silent breath and lets his senses do their job. He doesn't hear or see anything of danger at the moment.
Stealth
Perception
--snip--
Naia looks at the ceiling with no small amount of misgiving.
Gripping her harpoon tensely she moves to the eastern window and looks out before looking up the corridor toward Thout.
D'ogryn takes the coin and starts to unwrap it enough that some light comes forth. Enough to allow him to inspect the door.
I am thinking maybe the brightness of a candle instead of a torch.He looks at the ceiling trying to hear what is going on and maybe catch some visual sign of movement from above.
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
+1 for traps
Naia looks at the ceiling with no small amount of misgiving.
Gripping her harpoon tensely she moves to the eastern window and looks out before looking up the corridor toward Thout.
Naia looks at the ceiling with no small amount of misgiving.
Gripping her harpoon tensely she moves to the eastern window and looks out before looking up the corridor toward Thout.
Naia can see the storm moving north as she watches the storm line move past the coastline. The flashes of lightning giving sight to the rain and wind as it washes over the trees. She looks down to Thout and sees that D'ogyrn adjusted the coin in his hand to give just enough light to check the door.
Naia stares at the form of Thout as he stands watch over D'ogryn from the other side.
Naia as she looks out she notices some small movement down the hall at the edge where the balcony and hall branch out at about thirty feet or so. It was brief but it looked like something moved along the ground to the east side of the hall back behind the wall.
Hoskins
He turns to Antas quickly. "That shouldn't be a problem. The father is residing at the Lord Mayor's home as a quest. I can arrange for him to meet you here tonight for dinner. I will have a private dining hall prepared for you and make preparations for your guest tonight after sunfall. I will send a messenger to you in any event to let you know if the meeting is set up."
He stands up and walks around to the door as he fixes his jacket. "I believe we can conclude our business for now. Is there anything else you will need?"
Rabalar looks confused with all the conflicting desires and attempts to move on. "There is no sign of the goblins on these stairs. The noise is form the next floor up, so we'll need to find another way up than what we don't have here. D'Ogryn's looking in the right direction for now."
Ferona glances back to her companions making sure they are ready to proceed before she again addresses Hoskins, "Thank you no Master Hoskins," she adjust her cloak as she prepares to depart, "We must not waste any further time here."
Antas stands and pulls Ferona's chair out and then nods to those in attendance and moves to the door and opens it for his lady friend and escorts her out saying where to Lady Ferona?
Ferona offers Antas a small smile in appreciation of his gallantry, "Thank you Antas. We need to make our way to the Docks forthwith and investigate where the poor woman's body was discovered."
The Party - 3rd Day of Readying, Moonday
Late Evening
First Floor
Second Floor
CURRENT HEALTH STATUS OF PARTY
D'ogryn - Healthy
Edan - Healthy/ NL -1
Naia - Healthy
Rabalar - Healthy
Thout - Healthy/NL
Soros - Healthy/NL -4
HN 25
RE 15
PHN 15
The storm seems to have passed the coastline and the old house by...Now only a small bit of rain is falling and it is only patter against the roof. The wind has died down and only a faint whistle can be heard. As the party gathers themselves and D'ogryn prepares to inspect the first door on the west wall of the north hall. As Thout guards the hall and Naia looks out the east window Soros and Edan close down towards Rabalar as they expect him to move down the hall with D'og and Thout. That is when the entire party hears what sides like some kind of animal chatter...at first it comes from the north somewhere down the hall. Then they hear more chatter from above them. A moment later they hear chatter back from the north of the house but it seems farther away.
The animal sounds are not normal and the calls are not following a normal pattern from what you can tell. Maybe some sort of communication system???
The animal sounds are not natural and are in fact goblin calls as they communicate back and forth to each other. It appears they know you hear and are talking to each other through the chatter. It is like squirrels talking to each other.
The olf looks confused, but tries to get a bearing on the noise.