Ferona nods in acknowledgement of Hoskin's warning, "Yes we have seen how...brutal this killer is when he is thwarted. We shall tread lightly around him until the noose is tightened around his neck." She indicates her two companions, "I will make it a priority to always travel with my friends here when about the town."
She stands and prepares to leave the safe house, "Now we should have a talk with Corporal Stoutly and determine if he could shad any further light on the situation."
Hoskin & Geolin
Hoskin opens the door for the young group of investigators to let them out. Geolin turns to one final thing. "Thank you for taking this on. I know you didn't have to and the watch appreciates your service in this matter. Use caution in your investigation and if you come to the suspect try to seek out our watch to assist in his arrest."
As the three of you walk out Corporal Stoutly is awaiting you downstairs. Warfa appears to be gone.
Ferona nods in greeting to the Corporal, "It is good to finally get a chance to talk with you about...what you saw. While we did learn some valuable items about the killer, any additional details would be most appreciated."
The House
After twenty minutes or so as the group seems to settle down and drift off to sleep. Thout can see that even the goblin, trussed up as he is, seems to drift off as well. After a moment Thout makes his way over to the door puts his ear to it and then decides to slide down and lean against it. A few more moments go by and the stillness in the room begins to beat on him and his head tilts as his eyes close. His training kicks in and his head pops back up and just knocks the door...
He looks around the room and everything is still. No one has moved and nothing appears out of place. Even the magical lights on Edan and Soros staves are out. A few more moments go by and he hears something...a scratching sound followed by a shuffling sound. The semi-alert half dwarf puts his ear to the old dusty door and he hears it again... Something is moving around the hallway outside.
The little cook continues to sleep.
"Hnawk.....mee mee mee.....Hnawk....mee mee mee.....Hnawk....mee mee meee" snores Naia.
Thout - Botted
Thout hearing the initial sounds turns to face the door and listens once more. There seem to be no other sounds for a while and the noise disappears. Thout can feel his body fighting back his desire to stay alert. He leans in on the door and places his ear against it but nothing can be heard through the old door now.
What is Behind the Door
Perception
Stealth
Thout - Botted
As Thout scans in the darkness he begins to drift off but shakes his head and takes his hands off his ax and opens and closes them. Moving his arms around and turning his head from left to right as he tries to keep quiet.
Behind him the door is nudged...as if something pushed on it or fell against it. The action from the door startles him and he quickly grabs his ax and shifts back to face the door from the sitting position. He stares at the door for a good while and nothing happens. A few more minutes go by and no more noises or sounds come from the other side of hte door.
Thout and Naia
It seems like Naia had just closed her eyes not just a moment ago and in her sleeping state she feels as if something is pushing her..nudging at her...then she seems to recall somewhere in her memory that she was in a dangerous place. Could something be chewing on me? Biting me right now? Her mind begins to race and again the pushing comes again...Or was that bite...is it chewing on me??? Then comes the sound of a voice; a male voice...gruff...but soft...as if whispering. Naia...Naia...wake up.
Naia's eyes pop open her last recollection was a talking centipede telling her to wake up as it bit off her toe...Her eyes pop open and there is Thout...chewing on her toe...wait...No he is just nudging the young warrior awake.
Thout gives Naia one more nudge and her body goes tight and her eyes pop open...the look on her face as if something horrible was happing right at that moment startles him then she seems to relax... In the semi-dark room, the both of you stare at each other as Naia comes to her senses.
The last two hours for Thout as been like an eternity as he has battled the desire to sleep and the unusual sounds of the house the entire time.
The Party - 4th Day of Readying, GodsDay
Four Hours Past Midnight
First Floor
Second Floor
Ferona nods in greeting to the Corporal, "It is good to finally get a chance to talk with you about...what you saw. While we did learn some valuable items about the killer, any additional details would be most appreciated."
Corporal Stoutly hears the group making their way down the old wooden staircase. If not for the long rug runner that is tacked to the stair the sound would have probably been a lot louder. As Ferona goes over her request for information he listens. Ma'am I am not sure I can offer much...other than we found the young lass in the water floating upright. Now considering that the body was probably in the water for a we bit of time. I have seen bodies in the water and she was only in it this morning at most. Small fish and crabs feed on her but I would guess the crabs got her when her body came into the north underdock. She looked like she tried to fight off that b#$t@rd who attacked her. There were bruises on her neck from two hands...strong hands...she had some rings and bracelets on her...nothing expensive but it was still on her. Her dress was torn up and opened to bare her chest... He looks down at the ground. Ma'am I have a young daughter and it was terrible finding her. Her dress was torn and ripped on the back and lower area. The dress was covered in blood and you could see that it was a lot as the fish had tried feeding off the dress. He looks uncomfortable talking about the state the young girl was in...
Thout - Botted
Nudges Naia one more time but this time not as gently as the last one as Naia seems to stare at him a bit longer.
Ferona stares at the Corporal a little nonplussed before his explanation brings understanding to her mind.
This man could have lost his daughter the same way...
"Forgive me Corporal, it has been a trying time for me," she motions to both Antas and Peran as well, "for us as well. It seems we have unearthed all we can at this moment." She pauses then turns back to face the Corporal, "While I was intent upon examining the...body personally, it seems now is not the time for such. Perhaps in the future should the need arise..." her voice trails off uncomfortably.
Turning to her companions she asks, "Is there anything else you wish to ask the Corporal? If no then may I suggest we return to the Traveler's Rest to plan our next move? Also I am quite famished!"
"Also if you need some spiritual guidance in coping with this loss, please do not hesitate to find me. I will be praying for the young girl's soul, and for you as well Corporal. I hope St. Cuthbert will bring you peaceful dreams and a stout heart to find this monster."
He gives a short benediction to the soldier before going with the others back to the Inn for a meal.
The centipede's beard grows indistinct and then transmorphs into a dwarf's face.
"Gah. Whaaa. Ohk. Thout. Good. I mean...great. 'Mup. Totally awake. Now. [*yawn*] "Ok. 'Sokay."
The doughty whaler stretches out her shoulders, blinks and scrunches her eyes with the backs of her hands. She blinks again and stands. She's still tired, but able to keep her balance. Her harpoon is as ever to hand, gripped tight.
"Ok. Thout. Get some sleep. You hear or see anything?" she asks, peering out the window to get a sense of teh weather, or, hopefully, the life giving light of Beory's sun.
She sits again, though this time up on the edge of the bed, harpoon crosswise on her lap, and stares morbidly at the door, occasionally peeking at the prostrate goblin.
Thout-Botted
He stands up and seems to smile at Naia's initial reaction. As she tells him to get some sleep he yawns heavily...he had been fighting it off for the last two hours and now it seems a damn has opened and it pours out of him in a long drawn out yawn. "Will do." He then pauses to give a quick report. "Lots of funny noises from this old house...something...probably a bug or a rodent...didn't sound big moving around the hall early on." He yawns again. "It must have wandered off as the sounds stopped after a while."
He goes off to the corner by the chest and drops down in the corner and quickly goes to sleep with his head down between his knees and his arms crossed over his face. His ax and shield placed off to the side.
Corporal Stoutly
He looks uncomfortable for moment as the young priest prays over him but seems to relax as Peran finishes. " Thank ye...Meny of da folk r not happy bout dis yung girl's deth." He looks at the group. "I have ben told ta offer ya any assistance ya need. I have duties ta attend ta but if ya need me assistance I be at ya service." He turns and walks back towards the docks as the entire group make their way out of the old house.
As the three companions walk along the path leading back to the Traveler's Rest inn, Ferona twirls her hair thoughtfully. "Well that meeting was a productive one I thought. We have several promising leads here to check further. The Carpenters guild," she ticks off a finger, "the Shipbuilder's guild," another finger is ticked off, "or the Stone Mason's guild." One final finger is marked off. "I believe we should concentrate on the Ship Builder's guild, as the crime took place in the harbor."
As the party walks along she adds in a thoughtful voice, "Perhaps we can investigate some of the previous murders as wll, see if there are any common details with those crimes and this one. The two of you can look into this while I investigate the matter from the brooch angle. What say you?"
"I could speak to the fellows down at the Shipbuilders guild. They can be a little 'funny' to people who do not understand their craft!"
Peran waits to see what Ferona says about their plans.
Ferona considers her two companion's ideas thoughtfully before she slowly nods in agreement. "I do like the way you think here. We can save time here with our investigations, though it will require us to be apart from one another...Should we attract the murderer's attention..." her voice trails off uncertainly.
"Anyway we need to be cautious, now more than ever. The killer knows he is being sought after, and will take whatever steps is necessary to avoid facing justice!" she finished with a note of resolve in her voice.
Naia looks to each of her companions, and considers her options. She's bone weary, but her mind races. Reaching into her pack she pulls out the rolled parchment and wrapped pieces of charcoal. Unfurling a sheet of the rough paper and selecting a piece of charcoal she weighs down the edges with her dagger and buckler.
Then, she begins to sketch. First Thout, arms resting on knees, and head bowed. Then D'og, knives arrayed and seeming peaceful at rest. Then Rab, quick stabs of the dark material on white, all the imperfections of the floor reflected on the paper.
She assesses her work. Rough. Crude. But hers.
The Party - 4th Day of Readying, GodsDay
Morning - 7 hours past Midnight
First Floor
Second Floor
HN 25
RE 15 == 30 right now
PHN 15
As Naia sits by the window and sketches out her companions she begins to hear the weird sounds and noises that Thout spoke of during his watch. With it being still and quiet the noises stand out...the creaking of the old wood, the eerie sounds of wind blowing through the cracks in the exterior causing a whistling effect. It is at times unsettling...
The Party - 4th Day of Readying, GodsDay
Morning - Eight Hours Past Midnight
First Floor
Second Floor
Naia finishes up her watch and rises up and works her way over to Edan. She nudges him and his head pops up and he quickly realizes Naia is waking him. He nods to acknowledge her and rubs his eys and picks up his staff.
"Anything happen on your watch?"
Naia rises, moves over and taps Rab gently on the shoulder and calls him softly.
”Rab. Rab! Your turn.” she then returns to her spot and prepares to curl up again against the wall, yawning.
”There’s soughing, creepy noises here, but nothing really to report...Except I’m not much of a limner...”
When she’s satisfied the elf is up and alert she drifts of for much needed rest.
-----------------------------
Antas, Ferona, Peran - 4th Day of Readying, Godsday (worship day)
Late Afternoon - 3 hours past noon
-------------------------------------
Party Skill, Save, and Ability Check Macros Sheet
-------------------------------------
The three of you make your way down the road going west-southwest and then turn at the Blacksmiths east. You pass the Azure Harbour trading company on the left as you turn down south to walk the harbor road on the east side. You pass the Custom House on your left. The three of you then turn east and then south-southwest as you pass the Saltmarsh Spice Merchant house on the left and then as you walk past a few wagons heading north to either the Marketplace or the docks you pass The Full Moon Tavern heading south until you turn south by southeast passing the The Black Lion Trading Company. You continue to walk east passing three home on the south side of the road...Peran notes they have whaling boats up on the beach in front of them and appear to have pulled in a small whale that they are cleaning and dressing. Just ahead is The Traveller's Rest Inn.
Peran
Antas
Ferona
As the party heads towards the Traveler's Rest inn, Ferona is silent for a moment running over every detail of the investigation she recalls. As her mind travels back to just after they accepted the mission she recalls when the one of the guildsmen noticed her previously..
She decides to confer with her friends here quickly describing the brief exchange. "While I had just put his interest in me as a purely carnal one, now I am wondering whether there was something more to his interest. We should watch out for him. Let me know if you see him again."
Peran agrees with Antas.
"Indeed, just let us know if he is still around. You might be onto something there!"
With his head hanging low, D'ogryn sleeps quietly. All appears to be serene for the young cook at the moment. The only indication that anyone sees is that the skin on his knuckles is pulled tight. He has gripped his knives so hard that his bones are on the verge of bursting out. Scars can bee seen across his upper back due to his head hanging low and his armor riding high up. This opens up a gap that allows for a view of the inside of his leather armor.
The olf opens his eyes and nods to Naia. "Don't sell yourself short. Everyone starts by learning. You'll get to be as good as you are willing to work at it. Now, just go ahead and get some sleep. I'll keep the door shut and the noises out." With that said, the olf moves to the door, taking his gear with him. He leans his back up against the door, and begins tending to his equipment as a way to stay occupied. Too bad we don't have a fire. Some of these shafts could use straightening. I'll have to remember that once we get back to town.
I didnae notice the man oggling ya. Make sure ta point him out err ya see em Antas says
Peran agrees with Antas.
"Indeed, just let us know if he is still around. You might be onto something there!"
Feroma pauses on hearing the words of her friends with her face paling slightly. "Are you suggesting that man is the killer we are looking for? and that I am to be his latest victim?" She shakes her head briefly, "No that does not make any sense. He would not risk discovery so soon after his crime...would he?" She walks along lost in thought for a moment. "Still, he may know more of who we look for. Should he approach me again I will be certain to greet him with a smile." Her eyes flashing at the thought.
Antas, Ferona, and Peran
The three of you make it to the porch entry of the Traveller's Rest. As you do several merchants walk out of the place talking business. You over hear them complaining about a ship being attacked in the Azure...something about a night time raid but thankfully the ship took little damage and thanks to a strong wind was able to get away. The other man spoke about luck and a good captain... They walk off towards the docks along the road you came by. You didn't hear what actually attacked the ship or who...
Rabalar - Watch
Hear Noise (Group) 25
Random Encounter (Party) 15 (30)
Hear Noise (Party) 15 1d100
Rabalar moves to the door as Naia settles down to grab a few more hours of sleep. The wood elf, fully rested, settles in to clean and tend to his gear. As he does Thout, who is also next to the door, seems to shift and grumble in his sleep. After a moment he goes back to a rhythmic snoring that is low and barely audible but to the Wood Olf's ears it is like a thunder storm.
The watch is full of odd noises ranging from strange creaking sounds, to whistling sounds that have all sorts of weird sounds. He can also hear when the house shifts...all in all nothing out of the norm. By the time his watch ends the sun is on the rise and it appears from the cracks in the boards that it will be a sunny day.
The wood olf notices that the goblin is awake but uninterested in attempting an escape. The creature's eyes dart from one sleeping companion to the other and then back to the wood olf...
Hearing the conversation in passing, Peran stops and turns to speak to the merchants.
"Good sirs. Pardon my intrusion but I could not help but hear that a ship had been attacked before making port. Was it pirates, or some denizen of the deep?"
His breathing is steady and slow but it appears that D'ogryn's head moves slightly as the watch changes shifts. As if he is hearing things in his sleep.
After the extended day, the olf doesn't move to wake his companions, but lets them sleep as they will. Anything that was going to happen while they rested had already happened, anyway. No need for anyone to force their way past limits for now. They seem to come up with reasons to do so without that kind of pressure, anyway.
He gets the goblin's attention, and once he's convinced the has it, he holds a finger up and moves the tip of it side to side, then points at his companions, and then the goblin, before finally pressing the finger against his lips.
Hearing the conversation in passing, Peran stops and turns to speak to the merchants.
"Good sirs. Pardon my intrusion but I could not help but hear that a ship had been attacked before making port. Was it pirates, or some denizen of the deep?"
The merchant, a short but round middle-aged man in well-made merchant clothing and wearing semi-fine rings and a necklace stops and looks at your group. At first unsure how to answer the other man, a leaner, younger man with a hawkish face wearing good clothing but more utilitarian in nature pats his friend on the back and then looks the three of you over and quickly smiles. "You are the speaker at the docks? I saw your speech. Profound and invigorating. Are you new to Saltmarsh?"
Edan
After another half hour, Edan awakens wiping his face and standing up as he nods to Rabalar. He looks out the cracks in the old boards nailed to the window. Whispering to Rabalar..."Sunny out...no more rain...should make Soros happy." He turns to look at the young wizard. "At least for a few moments."
He walks over to Rabalar who is by the door and notices that Thout is still sleeping soundly along with his other companions. "Do you believe the goblin is telling the truth and we have cleared the house of their kind?
Shrugging, the olf responds. "He didn't try to make a bunch of noise to alert anyone else, and nobody tried to surprise us in here through the night. Seems likely there's no one else that he thinks can hurt us. If they really were refugees, there might be children hidden somewhere in the structure."
Thout - botted
Hearing the two talk quietly Thout decides to relax and cat nap a bit more. He adjusts his arms and legs...the tingling feel in his hands bothering him now that he is awakening.
Peran puts on a wide smile and offers his hand as he introduces himself and his friends.
"Well met and thank you for the compliment. I am Brother Peran of Seaton. My friends and I are indeed new to Saltmarsh. I have worked the waters of my own town and am always interested in any goings-on out on the blue!"
Using some sailor's slang he hopes to reassure the merchants that he does, indeed, have some knowledge of the ocean and its dangers.
Peran puts on a wide smile and offers his hand as he introduces himself and his friends.
"Well met and thank you for the compliment. I am Brother Peran of Seaton. My friends and I are indeed new to Saltmarsh. I have worked the waters of my own town and am always interested in any goings-on out on the blue!"
Using some sailor's slang he hopes to reassure the merchants that he does, indeed, have some knowledge of the ocean and its dangers.
The older more robust fellow coughs and covers his mouth. "I need to get back to the Azure for a meeting with my partners. I assume we are in agreement and I can write up the contract as discussed?" Looking at the younger fellow. The younger man turns to him and replies. "Of course. The contract will be acceptable as are the terms. The Black Lion will agree to them. We will cover the excise taxes as agreed." The older man smiles and nods to the group and walks off. The younger man turns and takes the hand of Peran and shakes it. "I am new to Saltmarsh as well. I am the newest addition to the Azure Trading Company...I was just hired as a buying agent and moved from Gradsul just a month ago. Hoping to eventually become a partner but only time and profit and the will of the Gods will see that happen."
Soros
Soros wakes to the muffled talking of Rabalar and Edan...they seem to be discussing goblins in general and laughing about things that happened while they were caravan guards. He lifts his head pushing aside his blond white hair.
Well I am dry but I could use a good meal, a good drink, and a bath... He looks around the room and frowns...Oh...we are still here...I take it that we didn't have hordes of bugs trying to crash through the door or coming out of holes in the ceiling while I was sleeping? He smiles...it is becoming obvious that the young wizard has a sarcastic side to him...