Tentative Initiative
As Thout continues ranting at D'Og, Rabalar frowns. "Dogs gotta bark. We're not going to stop D'Og, so we need to work with him or just make . . .." His comment is cut short by the roach's attack.
Just barely dodging out of the way, D'ogryn keeps his calm as he concentrates on defending himself. His demeanor is one of controlled chaos as he twists his body around the lunges creature.
Kind of busy here...just think...if this thing came...up on us while we were...not...aware of it. I am glad...we found it...now...rather than...later...For Dalt sake this thing must have eaten in some time.
[dice=Perception]1d20 + 6
[dice=Initiative]1d20 + 2
Storage Room - Roach in the Attic
Saltmarsh Docks - North side
Brenden Freed
The Harbor Master Freed looks at Antas...How big? Like bottom fish, short, wide, and slow-moving or long, sleek, with sharp fins? We don't get a lot of sharks in the harbor...haven't seen a lot of big fish. The deepest part of the harbor is the center. He points out to the center. Maybe forty feet or so but here it gets to be twenty or thirty feet. It very well could be that the body attracted a shark into the area but fisherman and butchers dump plenty into the harbor after the catches and we might get a few small ones but never big ones. He looks perplexed and concerned...
Sumerlan
Sumerlan looks down into the water...Tide will go out in a few hours and come back in before nightfall. He turns back to the rest of the group. I am going to round up Corporal Stoutly and bring him to the Gaol. I would imagine that is where you and your friends are heading ma'am?
Unable to contribute meaningfully to D'ogryn's predicament, Naia makes sure her group is safe, looking to the north part of the house.
Ferona turns her attention back towards Sumerlan as he speaks his question, "That would be greatly appreciated Mister Sumerlan yet what my boon companion has mentioned cannot be overlooked." Motioning to the harbor she turns to face Peran, "Could you ascertain more accurately where the harbor currents originated Brother?"
Saltmarsh Docks - North Side
"There is a possibility that this is not the place of the murder at all. The currents in this harbour work in a somewhat circular pattern. It is possible that she was murdered elsewhere and the body disposed into the water only to be carried by the current and deposited here."
Brendon Freed snaps out of asking questions about the large shadow below and back to the conversation at hand. Although he seems a bit perplexed by Antas's description and amused by the man's reaction.
That is true Brother Peran...the currents push into this harbor in a clockwise rotation when the tide comes in...once in they settle a bit and when the tide goes out it does the opposite. Most of the bigger ships leave when the tide goes out as it makes it easy to get into the open water. If you are right that would mean she was attacked somewhere on the west side of the harbor. There isn't much on the west side. The gate points which hold the harbor chain in the event of a pirate attack have an anchor point on that side. He points to the southeast side where a small point of land juts out on both that side and east side. It would be easy to commit a crime like this anywhere along that side. He looks about that area for a while...That is actually a very good observation of the waters. I can see why the Church Council asked for you to look into the murder. He looks about the direct area...I had my doubts this was the place she was attacked. Even if she didn't make a lot of noise I think it would have brought someone's attention. To many random eyes and people milling about at all hours but as we said before we knew it was a smuggler's handoff...
Ferona nods decisively, "Then we have no time to waste here! If she was killed on the other side of the docks then as the area was never secured then it would be an easy matter to obscure any traces of their crime." As she heads along the dockside to make her way across the harbor she beckons for the others to follow, "Come now no time to tarry here!"
Sumerlan
The Excise Officer turns to Ferona as he walks up the wooden salt-stained staircase. I will then get Stoutly and bring him to the west side. It will take me some time to round him up as he is inspecting several ships.
Brenden Freed
Brenden turns to the three of them with a bit more respect. Be cautious then; that side of the harbor is full of small shanties and homes. Not a lot of people on that side but those that are on that side keep to themselves. Mostly small fishing boats and such tied off on small docks that belong to men and families who want nothing to do with other people. The only part of that side of the harbor I tend to is the point. He looks up as Sumerlan gets to the top of the main dock and moves towards the east side of the harbor. I know some of the fisherman and dockworkers that live on that side. They should be working on the main dock today. I will attempt to make some inquiries if they saw or heard anything unusual last night. I will make it sound like I am asking about smugglers...they will be more inclined to talk to me.
While happy he has been of help in this investigation, Peran cannot help but wish the incident had never happened. A death in a small town was a tragic thing, but murder could tear a place apart.
"Yes, let's hurry and discover whatever we might. I know fisherfolk as well, so I will try and talk to them as well...if they do not respect my position as a priest of St. Cuthbert, perhaps I can appeal to our bond as fishermen."
[b]Naia{/b]
Naia looks down the north hall and back south. The goblin is still that is tied up. Nothing moves down the north hall that Naia can see thanks to the light on the window seal.
Edan
Edan moves to the north of D'ogryn trying to get a better position to support the young cook.
D'ogryn! Get off the wall! No one can see the creature!
Storage Room - Roach in the Attic
Combat Manager - Saltmarsh Campaign
Thout sees D'ogryn struggling with the bug and filled with the guilt of his awkwardly prescient comments, he immediately moves forward, while calling out, "Edan, pull D'ogryn from de hole!" Shaking the shield from his arm, he leaps upon the chest and grabs his axe with both hands. He makes his best guess as to the bug's location above the ceiling plaster and swings with all his might.
Taking a more patient approach, Rabalar nocks and draws, rolling his right shoulder to transfer the pull tension from his arm to his back. He aims at the edge of the hole, waiting for a reasonable target to show itself. "D'Og? Down would be better."
Thout sees D'ogryn struggling with the bug and filled with the guilt of his awkwardly prescient comments, he immediately moves forward, while calling out, "Edan, pull D'ogryn from de hole!" Shaking the shield from his arm, he leaps upon the chest and grabs his axe with both hands. He makes his best guess as to the bug's location above the ceiling plaster and swings with all his might.
[dice=Acrobatics]1d20+2-1
[dice=Perception]1d20+5
[dice=Concealment]1d100[dice=Power Attack]1d20+6-1
[dice=2-Handed PA Damage]1d10+4+1+2
Thout attempts to leap up on to the chest but the dust and mildew causes him to stumble just enough. He manages to gathers himself that as he attempts his swing with his ax it comes up short but he adjusts in time to gain control of the swing and bring it back under control.
Dodging and ducking with one hand holding him in place as the other one is holding the broken arrow, D'ogryn hears the others shouting. His voice is calm as he continues to dodge the creature's attacks.
Edan...do no...such...thing. You will do more...harm than...good.
Hearing the tightening of the bow and the words of Rabalar. The young cook can guess what the olf has in mind.
Give me...a...second...wait...for it...Ok..little bit more...come on...you damn...bug...NOW!
D'ogryn stabs forward with his light source. Hoping that the lit shaft will do some harm to the creature.
Seeing that the attack hit, the young man lets go of his grip and tries to slide down the wall to the floor below.
D'ogyrn
The roach appears to be hungry and driven by the smell of blood and death. It drives hard towards the young man. As it does and the cook sounds off to Edan and seeing the Olf moves into position; he thrusts the broken arrow shaft forward. As he does the roach again thrusts at the light source and impales himself on the shaft. It drives through its head in a crunching sound and half the shaft drives through the insect.
As the shaft pierces the roach D'ogryn pushes away and lands safely on the rotted burlap sack on all fours. The roach in its drive to find food keeps going and shows itself out of the hole. Just in time for Rabalar to see the creature and he lets the arrow fly.
Rabalar
Rabalar sees D'ogryn jump off the wall and clearly sees the giant roach's head and front part of its body appear out of the hole. He can see the broken arrow shaft sticking out of the thing's head. He lets his arrow fly and the roach arches upward as the arrow pierces it and goes through the insect and into the ceiling; the thing twitches and its legs kick but it is clear it is dead as it jerks on the olf's arrow shaft.
Roach
The roach thrusts forward and attack's the cook trying to get to his arm. The roach misses horribly as it bangs its head against the top of the space as it thrusts forward. As it does D'ogryn sees the chance to strike and hits home. He then jumps away from the roach and the wall. Almost immediately an arrow shoots through the bugs body and the whole thing is over.
Naia sees a little of the attack, and Rabalar's arrow seems to put paid the roach's war. The Temlow lass makes an appreciative frown, shrugging her shoulders as if to say "Sure".
"You goin' back up D'og? You ken borrow my shortbow." she offers.
Thout sees D'ogryn struggling as the light coming from the hole dims and D'ogryn drops from the ceiling. Immediately, a large roach head emerges and an arrow comes whistling by, impaling the insect, sticking it to the ceiling. Light bursts forth from the cracked chitin and Thout reflexively shields his eyes. A quiet descends and Thout smiles, "Wasn't expectin' that!"
He immediately hurries over to D'ogryn as Naia speaks, "Ye ok? Les stay out of de goblin holes; we're not goin' to sleep in dis room. Les look for a room without any holes!" He clears his throat and says, "Sorry about my words before. I'm glad ye are ok. If we have to get upstairs, let's use a rope and those stairs."
Pushing Thout slowly and quietly back to arms length. He looks over at Nadia.
The offer is appreciated but I am not sure it would do good right now. I will let you know if I change my mind.
Walking away from Thout and looking up at the hole. The cook lets his eyes fall to the Olf.
That was a nice shot Rabalar...thanks for the assist.
His eyes follow his climbing path back up to the hole.
It appears that there was something up there besides the Goblins. I just can not see the Goblins working side by side with those things. Maybe something else cause it to come out to say hello. The steps are too dangerous to climb...leaves us open and vulnerable. The Goblins came down some other way...how else did they get to the north hallway.
He looks to Naia.
I say we continue onward...clear as we go and hopefully find the third entrance to upstairs. I would rather finishes this up now then come back later to a well defended house. Would do you think Naia?
"That's why we're together, D'Og. We're supposed to be keeping this easier and as safe as possible for each other."
Naia smiles a crooked if weary grin, and nodding crouches down.
"Sounds like a plan D'og. I'm getting a bit hungry, so I'm just going to nibble some food I packed."
Still keeping an eye on the trussed goblin Naia flips open her pack and passes around some dried fish and unleavened bread to the group. Then hefts her harpoon and waits for D'og to take the lead.
"Let's take it easy as Thout and Rab suggest. Edan and Sor need a place to hole up."
D'ogryn slowly, deliberately pushes Thout backward, forcing him to take a stumbling step to maintain his balance. "Hmmpphh. I see," thinks Thout, the slight of D'ogryn's disregard of him and his words too obvious for even Thout to miss. He looks around the room, gauging the others' reactions, if any, while D'ogryn and the others speak.
Thout turns toward the bug and starts to move his axe arm, but suddenly stops, "Measured... More measured..." He turns once more to the others and takes a deep breath before simply saying, "Aye. We should continue." Naia passes out some food, which Thout graciously accepts. He checks on Edan and Soros, then sits upon the chest and pulls out his whetstone to sharpen his axe while stewing over D'ogryn's actions. He waits for the others to ready themselves to carry on.
Edan
Edan looks up at the dead roach and gives Rabalar a smile and a nod of the head. Good shot my friend. He turns and puts his hand on Thout's shoulder. That was a nice move by you as well to get on that chest and try to take the bug as well.
Edan looks to D'ogryn as he inspects the hole and talks to Naia. He looks around the room and eyes the to two goblin bodies for a good while. We should gather up the goblin corpses and put them in a room we don't plan to come back into. I am not sure but it could be that the bug up there was attracted to the dead ones. He looks back at the roach pinned to the ceiling. We have things like that in our jungles...they can get testy when it comes to scenting food. Rabalar knows more about Goblins than anyone here but I can't imagine them working with these things either.
Soros
Soros leans against the wall. He doesn't seem to be amused or thrilled by D'ogryn's suggestions of moving on. He seems to tired to have noticed D'ogryn's and Thout's little encounter afterward. He takes a long sigh as he leans into the wall. I can...push on but I have to say I am tired...and I don't feel myself. Between the bugs and the goblins and all the bites and cuts I have, I would love to curl up in a bed and sleep for the next week. Damn it! If we need to clear out this floor lets do it...but if one more bug comes out of a hole, a floor, or anything else I am leaving! He smiles...but it is a fake smile as clearly the rest of the party can see he is nearly spent but he doesn't appear to be happy he is holding the party back.
Thout
It appears that Edan, although wounded and moving a bit gingerly, he appears in high spirits. Soros' moral seems low and he appears to be tired and weak from the poison that is still in his body.
Soros
Soros grabs some of the fish and bread and nods to Naia in appreciation. Thanks.
D'ogryn nods at Rabalar's words.
Work smarter not harder...
Taking some bread from Naia. He gives her a reassuring look and smiles slightly.
Please and thank you...
Listening to Edan's words brings raised eyebrows...
hmm...That is a good point. There may be a way to get rid of these bodies up here instead of lugging them down the steps. Another room maybe...
D'ogryn looks at Soros, he responds in a gentle tone.
Soros...my opinion on how to proceed is just that...my opinion. It is how I feel we should move forward. I do not and will not dictate to anyone what they can and can not do.
He turns towards Naia.
We are here together because of a threat to the town...our home.
He looks back at the hole in the ceiling...
I have voiced my opinion on what we should do and I am fine and willing to take point when we...decide to move forward. If the group decides otherwise, I am fine with that as well. It sounds as if we are willing to push forward but if there are those that feel we should hold off and rest...???
The Party - 4th Day of Readying, GodsDay
Two Hours Past Midnight
First Floor
Second Floor
The rain is still steady but much lighter now. The wind is not as hard as well...occasionally a gust of wind can be heard and felt like the house creaks and shifts with it. For the most part, the storm as past the house by and Naia and Rabalar can tell that in a few more hours the storm will be gone. There might be remnants of light rain by morning but that is all that will be left.
The goblin is still and has not moved when Naia glances over at it.
HN 25
RE 15 (30 because of corpses)
PHN 15
Antas, Ferona, Peran - 4th Day of Readying, Godsday (worship day)
Late Afternoon
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Party Skill, Save, and Ability Check Macros Sheet
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Brenden Freed makes his way up the old salty stairs. He waits for Ferona, Antas, and Peran to make their way up the steps. I will see you shortly. He turns and walks off to the east and talks to several of the dockworkers, fisherman, and craftsman surrounding the area.
The three of you turn west and head to the far western edge of the north docks. As you do the heavy wooden docks and lower docks turn into floating docks of lighter wood on the western shoreline mixed with shanties, small huts, and covered cabanas that are used as living quarters. The places area surrounded by hanging nets, drying poles with fish hanging from them, as well as small boats, dry docked or floating in the water on a nearby floating dock. Peran looks down and can see that the point is about halfway down the western shoreline. Past the point, there are no more docks just shanties and huts about ten or so yards back from the waterline.
... He turns and puts his hand on Thout's shoulder. That was a nice move by you as well to get on that chest and try to take the bug as well.
"Thank ye. A bit clumsy, though. Good thing Rabalar was ready," he says to Edan. "And thank ye for yer help. I'm doin' much better."
--
Thout runs the whetstone along the blade of his axe in a series of practiced motions. He hears D'ogryn speak and turns his face to the ground, seeming to concentrate on the sharpening. "Did I just hear that?! Did he just say that?!" He suppresses an incredulous chuckle. D'ogryn finishes and Thout speaks up without the least disturbance to his task, "Ye have heard my piece. Tis later than late. We needin' te find a safe place te sleep." He looks at Soros, "Soros is hurtin' and needs rest. Soon as we find a spot we can secure, we should stop." The whetstone continues, unhurried.
As the group heads towards the area on the docks where the girl was brutally murdered Ferona feels a prickly sensation run up and down her spine, a mix between fear and excitement.
Perhaps the murderer lurks here in these docks...no I would not think he be so unwise as to lurk near the area of the crime. Still caution is warranted...
As the setting sun sends its rays over her face she draws the cowl of her cloak down to shield her eyes and face from the glare and squints out ahead, mindful of those who may be eying the strangers approaching their territory...
Thout finishes with his axe and stands up from the chest. He eyes it before addressing the room, "Anyone else curious 'bout what's in dis chest? D'ogryn, have ye taken a crack at it? Ye've been plenty good with de doors." He pauses a moment, grins, and says, "I could try, but I'd be none too gentle."
As the group heads towards the area on the docks where the girl was brutally murdered Ferona feels a prickly sensation run up and down her spine, a mix between fear and excitement.
Perhaps the murderer lurks here in these docks...no I would not think he be so unwise as to lurk near the area of the crime. Still caution is warranted...
As the setting sun sends its rays over her face she draws the cowl of her cloak down to shield her eyes and face from the glare and squints out ahead, mindful of those who may be eying the strangers approaching their territory...
[dice=Perception]1d20+1
Ferona, Peran, and Antas turn the corner and make their way down into the western harbor area. As they do they make there way down a sand, rock, and dirt path that is also marked by stone/rock steps at short intervals. Some go up and some go downward as the trail seems to wind up and down the side of the hill. The docks on the west side are really a collection of floating docks and piers made by different people. Some of the docks and piers are usable and some are in very poor condition. There are maybe twenty to thirty shanties and huts made of wood (a few have stone bases) and all of them have thatch roofs or a mixture of thatch and old sail cloth as roofs. This part of the harbor is made up of poor fisherman and craftsman who scrap by a living on and around the waters of Saltmarsh.
As you make your way down the dirt path to the west is a small hut with a path leading down to a old small floating dock that is no bigger than eight by twelve feet. On it is a old man sitting on a small old barrel. He appears to be mending a small casting net. He has several casting nets laid neatly on the other side of the dock. He has small pipe in his mouth and puffs of smoke seem to come out of it in a pretty normal interval. He is darkly tanned and wrinkled from all his time in the sun and he is wearing a straw brimmed hat on his head and cloths that are sunbleached and stained with a worn out pair of sandles. He gives you a look and turns back to his work as quickly as he turned his head to see who was walking down the path.
Ferona can see that a good third of the "homes" are empty and in a very poor state of repair. The other "homes" seem to be lived in and about half of those are currently empty as the owners appear to be away. Probably fishing, on a boat, or working the docks or harbor. She looks out and she can see several small boats with someone casting nets and pulling them up. She also sees a few more that appear to be pulling lines up from the water. Some are trout lines and others have crab pots tied to them. During the day it seems to busy for anyone to get away with a murder or anything violent and noisy without someone seeing it. As she eyes the area she realizes that the area they are walking it wouldn't be easy for a person to get away with that sort of violence even at night. As she looks further south she realizes that the point and beyond is far more remote.
Peran points to the point where the harbor chain juts out of the water into a stoned anchor point for the large chain. The chain is currently slack and probably on the bottom of the harbor bed.
Ferona slows her pace as she notes the presence of the old fisherman and is about to address him when she realizes the area here is not likely to have witnessed the crime.
The signs of struggle would have indeed drawn attention even from the old fisherfolk here...I believe our destination is further past this point...Still I would imagine Peran would love to converse with a kindred soul here. She reflects to herself as she stops nearby the old fisherman, silently awaiting Peran to speak up here.
Looking out the door and away from Thout and the others.
The chest can wait. Not important.
Yes I heard "your" piece.
He turns his head and looks to Naia.
Think we could move towards the northeast corner...find a place to get rid of the bodies and maybe an area to rest? I will check it out and let you know what is down there before we move on.
D'ogryn seeing that no one else is voicing their wish to leave.
It is late and we need to sleep soon. A few hours will do us good. Does not make sense to up and leave what we have taken so far only to come back a day later to take it all back again with more Goblins...If there are anymore that is? I am getting tired of these Goblins, should have stay in the kitchen. At least when I cut myself there, it does not hurt as much.
D'ogryn reaches down and pulls forth the broken arrow from the roach and wipes it off on the sack. With a dagger in one hand and the light source in the other, the young cook walks up the hallway towards the northeast corner.
Moving slowly and keeping his eyes moving from the floor to the walls to the ceiling and back behind him. Once he gets to the intersection of pathways. He looks down to the left and then to his right. Seeing the doors down the right hand hallway, he turns back to join the others.
Two doors in the northeast hallway. Shall we go up and see what is behind them?
Taking on the mannerisms that he once called his own, Peran moves forward to talk to the fisherfolk. He starts with the weather and moves on to "The Catch" and finally ends with gossip around town. He also speaks of St. Cuthbert and works many of the saint's earthy proverbs into his conversation.
"So, anything of note happening down this way? Seems to be some commotion up by the wharves in town. Anything unusual happing here?"
D'ogryn speaks and moves out of the room. Irritated that D'ogryn is right about the chest, especially considering the time, Thout still finds the need to vent, if only to himself, "Hmmphh. 'Will not dicate' as long as it's his way..." He shakes his head and readies his shield and axe.
Thout steps out into the hallway and follows D'ogryn northward. As they pass the room next door, he gestures and says, "D'ogryn, what about dis room?" The young Suel continues past it, and Thout rolls his eyes, "Pfft." D'ogryn moves in front of the first door in the northeast hallway and Thout silently takes position just past it.