Ferona watches the interchange closely, a shrewd look in her eye.
A newcomer to Saltmarsh as well? Interesting. Perhaps his connections here will prove useful to our own investigation...
"Greetings and well met! I am Ferona Ardomil, a scribe seeking gainful employment here in this town as the picking in Seaton were not to my liking." She inclines her head in greeting.
Without saying a word, D'ogryn stand up, retrieves his weapons and moves towards the door. He stops and looks back at the others.
Morning...
Rolling his shoulders and neck to loosen up the joints, he make sure everyone is awake before he proceeds outside.
Anything of note while we slept?
Naia wakes hard - sore and jumbled from a poor sleep. She yawns and fists her eyes free of sleep. Seeing as there is no concerted effort to move right now Naia stays on the floor and ransacks her pack for more dried fish. There isn't much left, and she hands the last of it out to those who want it, accompanied by now dry bread. She looks at it with a mix of resignation and disgust.
"Nothing while [yawn] I was on watch.[b]" Naia answers D'og conversationally. Naia motions to the prisoner.
[b]"Looks like we have an extra for breakfast. Watcha wanna do with him Rab?" she asks the elf pointedly.
Once everyone is awake and moving about.
I will check the hallway when everyone is ready.
He goes to the door and tilts his head to the side.
When all is clear, he slowly opens the door and looks down the hallway in both directions. He nods to Rabalar to follow. Once the two are by the door he looks down at the floor to see if his plan had worked. Hoping to see if any unknown visitors came by last night.
D'ogryn notices the picture that Sorros used as a light source last night. He walks down to the picture and looks at it. Should we take this with us to use again. There is plenty of stuff around here that we could use. No sense in taking extra stuff.
He turns and walks back to the door.
back to the north hallway? Check the room in the northeast corner and then head to the western half of the house?
Ferona watches the interchange closely, a shrewd look in her eye.
A newcomer to Saltmarsh as well? Interesting. Perhaps his connections here will prove useful to our own investigation...
"Greetings and well met! I am Ferona Ardomil, a scribe seeking gainful employment here in this town as the picking in Seaton were not to my liking." She inclines her head in greeting.
[dice=Diplomacy]1d20+5
The young man puts his hand out and slightly bows. I am Ned Steerman of the Black Lion Company. I am sorry to say that I am new to Saltmarsh but I believe the Guild Master of the Merchants, Craftsman, and Scriveners is the Master of Scriveners. We have several scribes in our employ currently...
He looks about at Saltmarsh...Seaton is a windy town and the harbor smells especially in the summer. Thanks to the breeze and the countryside Saltmarsh is a bit nicer but smaller. I see great potential here for someone willing to work hard.
Thout - botted
Thout awakens...Well if'n it be time no better time than the now. He stretches out grabs a bit of the dried fish and eats it devours it quickly.
He drinks the last of his water in his canteen and slings it over his shoulder. Gathering up his gear he does a quick check to make sure he has everything.
I heard a bunch of weird noises and something was scuttling about in the hallway but it could have been a rat or a bug... He seems to shutter a bit after bug.
Thout looks at the goblin...What do we do with the little bugger? Pointing at it with his ax...
Edan
Edan grabs the fish and thanks Naia for it. He eats it, wipes his hands, stands and gather his gear.
He says a small prayer seeing that D'og is in a hurry and stands and moves to the center of the room.
The Party - 4th Day of Readying, GodsDay
Morning - eight hours past midnight
First Floor
Second Floor
[oo]1hp recovered = 1hp[/ooc]
"Honestly, I don't know what to do with him. We didn't take prisoners in the field."
-----------
"Thank you, again, for the fish."
-----------
"Just pick a direction. You slept through the earlier conversation, but given the lack of activity through the night, the lack of any attempt by our prisoner to escape or alert anyone, I think we've already dealt with the actual threat."
The young man puts his hand out and slightly bows. I am Ned Steerman of the Black Lion Company. I am sorry to say that I am new to Saltmarsh but I believe the Guild Master of the Merchants, Craftsman, and Scriveners is the Master of Scriveners. We have several scribes in our employ currently...
He looks about at Saltmarsh...Seaton is a windy town and the harbor smells especially in the summer. Thanks to the breeze and the countryside Saltmarsh is a bit nicer but smaller. I see great potential here for someone willing to work hard.
Ferona gives him a smile (knowing she was about to be gainfully employed soon), "Yes, one thing I have discovered in my time working as a scribe is it is not just transcribing letters and words from one medium to another, it is a form of artistry...no different than a painter in most respects! While this town is quite a bit smaller than the cities where I have plied my services, there is something...unique about this place."
"I like it! The people are hard working and you can feel the...I don't know...the potential of this place. St Cuthbert's church would be very comfortable in such a place!"
He looks at the others and realizes his outburst has interrupted Ferona's conversation with the merchant.
"My pardon..." he says with a short bow to the two.
The House
The Party - 4th Day of Readying, GodsDay
Morning - Seven and Half Hours Past Midnight
First Floor
Second Floor
HN 25
RE 15
PHN 15
D,ogyrn puts his ear to the door and spends a few moments listening. After a while he looks up at Rabalar and Naia..."Nothing...all quiet.
He opens the door half expecting a horde of bugs to come swarming over him into the room...he shudders at the thought. As he peeks outside and then pokes his head out and looks down the hall. There is just enough sunlight to make the hall dim and he can see the dust swirling around in the air coming from the cracks in the windows. He then walks out into the hall. The house appears to be still and he looks down at the dust and dirt he placed in front of the door. To his untrained eyes, it looks as it does when he placed it. Unsure if anything actually passed along over it or not.
Rabalar comes to the door kneels down and checks it curious as well to see if it worked and if something actually came to the door. He can see where an insect traveled over the edge of it just away from the door. Probably one of those centipedes. He also sees it was not alone. Probably two maybe three of them went down the hall. Rabalar can guess they were tracking the blood and sent of death.
The olf stands up and as he does D'ogryn slowly makes his way down to the south end of the hall. Naia and Edan come out both filling the north end of the hall. Thout stands over the goblin and spends a moment inspecting the goblin's bonds. He gives the goblin the last of his water and quarter of days worth of rations. He is careful not to get his fingers near the thing's mouth. Soros seems to be studying a book as the rest of the group make their way out. Sitting by the window using the small beams of light to study by he seems intent on reading at the moment.
D'ogryn makes his way down to the picture on the wall that Soros was using as a beacon the night before. It has a wooden frame that is painted with a metallic gold paint (something you have never seen before)...expensive but the frame is in poor shape. The scene is a wind mill...on a hilltop overlooking a field of flowers. It is covered in mildew and dust but the painting could be recovered. It is a place you have never seen before. It is odd as well it is daylight, noon by all accounts but, but there is a moon in the sky...not like Luna or Celene.
Ferona gives him a smile (knowing she was about to be gainfully employed soon), "Yes, one thing I have discovered in my time working as a scribe is it is not just transcribing letters and words from one medium to another, it is a form of artistry...no different than a painter in most respects! While this town is quite a bit smaller than the cities where I have plied my services, there is something...unique about this place."The young man puts his hand out and slightly bows. I am Ned Steerman of the Black Lion Company. I am sorry to say that I am new to Saltmarsh but I believe the Guild Master of the Merchants, Craftsman, and Scriveners is the Master of Scriveners. We have several scribes in our employ currently...
He looks about at Saltmarsh...Seaton is a windy town and the harbor smells especially in the summer. Thanks to the breeze and the countryside Saltmarsh is a bit nicer but smaller. I see great potential here for someone willing to work hard.
Ned looks at Ferona in surprise. "I would not have taken you as a scribe. This town is most unusual and grows more interesting by the day. I am sad to say I don't have the eye for it...to me it is words on paper."
"I like it! The people are hard working and you can feel the...I don't know...the potential of this place. St Cuthbert's church would be very comfortable in such a place!"
He looks at the others and realizes his outburst has interrupted Ferona's conversation with the merchant.
"My pardon..." he says with a short bow to the two.
Ned turns to Peran and laughs..."No need...I must be on my way. I have matters to attend to but I wish you all a good day."
Ned looks at Ferona in surprise. "I would not have taken you as a scribe. This town is most unusual and grows more interesting by the day. I am sad to say I don't have the eye for it...to me it is words on paper."
Ferona smiles at the man, her eyes reflecting a level of good humor. "Ahh yes, that is what separates a painter from an artist!" as Ned turns to leave she waves goodbye to him, "I trust our paths will cross again soon!"
Slowly he inspects the picture from a bunch of different views.
It may be in bad shape but that does not me it is safe to take.
not yet at least...Dalt bless me.
With slow movements, D'ogryn removes the picture and gentle places it in is satchel. He then turns to walk back up the hallway and stops by Rabalar.
If we are ready...we can continue but if some of us need more rest. Now would be a good time. As you said our guest did not try to flee or give warning to anyone...so we should be able make sure the rest of the house is cleared before we had back to town.
Naia looks at D’og quizzically, still yawning a little.
”I am well enough...and [yawn] ready to push on...but why are you taking an old picture?”
Slowly he inspects the picture from a bunch of different views.
It may be in bad shape but that does not me it is safe to take.
not yet at least...Dalt bless me.
[dice=Perception]1d20 +5
With slow movements, D'ogryn removes the picture and gentle places it in is satchel. He then turns to walk back up the hallway and stops by Rabalar.
If we are ready...we can continue but if some of us need more rest. Now would be a good time. As you said our guest did not try to flee or give warning to anyone...so we should be able make sure the rest of the house is cleared before we had back to town.
"We could collect things after we've checked the rest of the house, couldn't we? There's at least one solid looking chest we skipped already. The room we put the bodies in, right? Other than that, let's do this."
Seeing that the picture is too big to fit in his satchel, D'ogryn leans it agaisnt the chest.
The picture has some sort of value but what...I can not tell here. It can wait till later. If we are ready then I will take point...
The young cook walks up the hallway to the intersection. Looking around as his walks. His feet moving slowly and with daggers in hand.
Be ready we may disturb some creatures.
"There are more of those big bugs about." He points down where he saw the hint of a trail earlier.
Naia nods sleepily, her eyes goghling as she gets a grip, both on the day and her harpoon.
Thout
"We skipped plenty of things... we really didn't search any of the rooms. There is a chest in here and in the next room over...I can't remember if we checked that room. The room with the goblin bodies in it has the two corpses under the blankets and a dressing closet of some type by it. Downstairs we skipped over a lot of things. We still have the whole west side of this floor to inspect and the last door on the east side if memory serves. Best we clear those rooms."
He looks at the goblin..."We have feed him and given him water...but what do we do with him while we search the rest of the house?" He looks at Rabalar and Naia. The goblin begins to squirm under the glares and stares of the party...he begins to babble something in goblin.
"No gud...no gud...me not tasty...don't let the ugly dwarf eat me...big dwarf...not like me...not tasty..." This is followed up by what appears to be crying and sniveling.
Edan
"Before we go getting ourselves into trouble again let me take a look at your wounds. I need to at least check the bandages and tend to them the best I can."
Edan looks over his companions...he is clearly the most in need of care but the Touv goes to Thout inspects the three wounds he received. He says a small prayer over each of them and has he does a blue white light appears around his hands. Thout and Edan can feel the warmth of the positive energy course through the Touv's hands into the wounds. It is very short in duration but it seems to help each wound as all three appear to be far better. Two of them being completely closed and only a small minor scare appears at the site for both of them. The other one Edan wraps a new bandage around it. "That should feel better my friend."
He turns to Soros and the young mage lets the Touv inspect his wounds. Thankfully Soros appears to be in good shape with a full nights rest and the magical healing from yesterday he appears to be in good shape. The one wound received from a goblin arrow Edan inspects and then prays over . Again a soft blue-white light surrounds the area for a small bit of time and warmth can be felt by Soros. When the young wizard looks down the wound is closed and only a small star-shaped scar appears.
Once finished he pats Soros on the shoulder. "You look much better now that you have rested." Soros and Thout thank the war priest as he packs the gear away and prepares.
Antas, Ferona, and Peran
The three of you make your way into the main hall of the Traveler's Rest. The place is filled with pipeweed and the smell of good food. Roasted pig fills the air as do other smells. You can hear merry song playing...a song of winds and sea. As you walk from the entry hall into the main hall you are greeted by smiles and raised mugs. You find a table off to the side able to seat four easily.
"There are more of those big bugs about." He points down where he saw the hint of a trail earlier.
Following Rabalars hand to where the tracks were...
I was afraid of that...one can hope that they were content with Goblin for dinner and do not want anything more from the living.As D'ogryn comes to the room where the bodies were placed, He stops and listens.
Turning to see if the others are ready.
As Thout said we should clear the rooms...We know that there are no Goblins in here that will cause us harm. Let us see what else is in here and move on to the next room.
When the party is ready, the young cook opens the door slowly.
Ferona nods in greetings, returning the smiles of the other inn patrons, yet her heart was not really in it. Thoughts of the murder investigation run through her mind.
Were we thorough enough in our search? Was there perchance a vital clue we missed?
Trying to banish these thoughts aside as they were counter-productive, she decides a fine bottle of wine was in order. Waving over one of the serving girls, " A bottle of your Rhennee Rose if you will."
As she relaxes further her eyes rove over the common area looking for anyone familiar to her, or who may be taking an undue interest in her and her companions.
Naia shakes her head in answer to Edan's query, clearly hale enough to reject further aid. She blinks as Thout gives a fairly precise rundown of what exactly they have yet to do.
Mebbe this is why gram gave up adventuring...
"Expect the bugs to be swarmed in there. Be ready." The olf has his bow ready and an arrow nocked, so that a quick draw and release is all that should be required.
"There are more of those big bugs about." He points down where he saw the hint of a trail earlier.Following Rabalars hand to where the tracks were...
I was afraid of that...one can hope that they were content with Goblin for dinner and do not want anything more from the living.As D'ogryn comes to the room where the bodies were placed, He stops and listens.
Turning to see if the others are ready.
As Thout said we should clear the rooms...We know that there are no Goblins in here that will cause us harm. Let us see what else is in here and move on to the next room.When the party is ready, the young cook opens the door slowly.
RE 15 == 35 right now
PHN 15
As the serving girl turns to leave, Peran catches her sleave.
"A pot of ale for me please...and some bread and cheese for the three of us. Thank you!"
Edan
Edan finishes up packing is gear away. He checks his bandages after finishing prayers to Berna over his own wounds. He makes his way out of the room.
I will take up the rear guard my friends so that you can concentrate on what is in front of us.
He grabs his staff and walks out of the door of the room leaving the door open as D'ogryn has to mark it as safe. He turns to the south to guard the parties rear. "May Berna bless us today and let us feel the sun upon our face!"
The Party - 4th Day of Readying, GodsDay
Morning - Eight Hours Past Midnight
First Floor
Second Floor
As the party assembles and makes ready to open the door to the room with the corpses in the bed and the goblin bodies on the floor all of you hear a loud noise from below...like a broken door opening. The sound of splintered wood falling to the floor with a "Thunck!!!" followed by footsteps and the creaking of the wooden floors and the scattering of wood shards scratching the floor boards lifts up to the second floor.
Each of you freeze for a moment not moving, not breathing, but ready for the worse. The influx of noise puts you immediately on guard. THen you hear footsteps moving around beneath you.
The olf's head turns without the rest of his body, before he starts working his way, carefully, quietly, towards the landing, planning to try to what just opened the door without exposing himself.
Naia's eyes bulge. She hefts her harpoon and follows Rab, stepping as lightly as she can.
[+2 Dex, -1 armor, -1 shield]
Thout
Thout stops as he hears the noise...he slowly brings up his shield and waraxe to the ready.
He doesn't want to move as he knows he is as subtle as a thunderstorm. Instead he readies himself to move up to Rabalar's side and support him if needed. He also keeps his eye on the east hall and west hall while Naia moves up so that if something, anything comes out of a door he can warn them and support them.
I don't like surprises...
Soros
Soros hears the loud noises and his entire body jumps at the loud sounds...envisioning a horde of insects streaming into the door below and filling the house... It passes but the vision gives him shivers that make his skin crawl. Being in the middle of the hall he has no way of moving up to support Rabalar and Naia...instead seeing Thout freeze he decides to follow suit.
Moving through his mind and thinking on what exactly is the best course of action if something goes wrong he decided to call upon his protective ward and move up to support his friends. Ward first and then move up and figure out what in the nine hells is going on.
Edan
Unsure what to do about their captive goblin in the corner as everyone walked out when he hears the loud commotion out in the hallway he turns quickly and goes to a guard position with his staff.
The goblin looks up wide eyed but Edan looks at him as he moves his staff towards him. The goblin's eyes dart to him and then the staff and quickly lays his head down in submission. Not wanting to be cold cocked again like the ugly half dwarf did.
Edan standing at the door frame sees Soros freeze and he also settles into his stance ready to act but not sure what is going on.
The House - The Noise from Below
Rabalar moves up but his footsteps fall on old dry wooden boards and it creaks loudly as does Naia's but hears seem just hint more quiet than Rab's.
Rabalar and Naia see a cloaked figured...from the look of the cloak it is soaked in rain as you can also see small boot print puddles of water behind him and small pools of water under his cloak. The man has a dagger in his hand and holds his backpack strap close to his side with his other hand. You can see his face from beneath his cloak but the voice was male...it sounded Keoish...but it was hard to tell...not a young but not a old man.
As the serving girl turns to leave, Peran catches her sleave.
"A pot of ale for me please...and some bread and cheese for the three of us. Thank you!"
An older lady nods as she walks by. "Aye laddie I'l ge ye a pla and picher. Ya ba paing now or star a tab will ye?"
Ferona nods in greetings, returning the smiles of the other inn patrons, yet her heart was not really in it. Thoughts of the murder investigation run through her mind.
Were we thorough enough in our search? Was there perchance a vital clue we missed?
Trying to banish these thoughts aside as they were counter-productive, she decides a fine bottle of wine was in order. Waving over one of the serving girls, " A bottle of your Rhennee Rose if you will."
As she relaxes further her eyes rove over the common area looking for anyone familiar to her, or who may be taking an undue interest in her and her companions.
[dice=Perception]1d20+1
There is as a host of people in the main hall...maybe three dozen or so and of all kinds. Merchants, tradesman, captains, and other people it is hard to put your thumb on as to what their profession is. There is a half elven minstrel, a young man, singing and playing a flute at times and a psaltery at other times. Pipe-weed of all sorts fill the air but the strong hints of cherry and blackberry seem to override most of it. I young women dances near him spinning and waving streamers around in intricate patterns as the young man sings. The front of the stage has coppers, silvers and even a few gold on it.
It is hard to tell if any one is actually watching you but a handful of mean seem to look at you in an appreciative manner.
Ferona is well aware of how the men in the area view her and the though disgusts her. Still she had no intention of openly refusing their interests...yet.
Mayhaps one of these persons knows more of what I seek...Doubtful, but still possible.
Once the wine has arrived she takes a sip, idly running her finger along the glass. Turning to her companions she says in a low voice, "Do ye think we were thorough enough here? I did not wish to see the corpse, yet mayhap that would be a good idea? I must confess I had hoped we would have found a more definitive sign of who we are looking for. This one is quite the crafty one methinks."
D'ogryn lets the door handle right where it is. His mind racing and seeing the others moving off to the landing to see what was going on.
He starts to follow but hear that the other are not being quiet. HE then hears the voice from below and gives up on trying to be quiet himself.
Who in the nine hell gust did that. I swear if one more thing gets broken in my house I will make sure Geolin is paying for it. One would thing that guards would be more careful around other peoples property.
D'ogryn walks to the landing and starts to talk before he gets in sight of the person.
Be more careful...I have alot of things that need to be.....
The young cook stops at the railing looking over at the old man.
Who the hell are you...
He points to the door.
...I truly hope you have money to fix that.
and he tils his head slightly...
but more importantly...what are you doing in my house
oh Dalt What the hell am I thinking.
The Traveller's Rest
The middle aged female server walks over with a plate of four cut cheeses and three halves of bread and hard crackers. She also has some small jars of spicy brown mustard. A small young girl follows her and she places a pitcher of honey ale and three mugs as well as a bottle of requested wine. The older women smiles at the girl and sends her off to the back. She opens the wine and pours a good portion in the mug for Ferona. When she finishes she pours the honey ale into the two remaining mugs. "It'll be a gold piece." As she wipes off her hands and smiles.
Reaching into his belt pouch, Peran removes 2 gold lions.
"My thanks miss, and for you and the wee girl for your service."
Before eating the mendicant priest says a quick prayer over the food and drink.
"Now then, you think that seeing the corpse would perhaps give us a clue as to the culprit? I know that some from the priestly orders are able to speak with the dead...unfortunately it is beyond my ability, but perhaps one of the other members of the local synod might be able to? Would save us time to get the name of the murderer straight from his victim's mouth, as it were."
As he speaks he keeps his voice low and leans in to speak with the group so that their conversation cannot be overheard.
"It would seem to me if the Council had the wherewithal to use such magicks then they would have already availed themselves of such a spell," Ferona frowns, deep in though as she recalls what details she knew of that spell.
Naia's eyebrows rise and her mouth turns out in anticipation. She shrugs to D'og, stance held, harpoon still raised.
Who in the hells is this now?!?