The olf looks at the cook with open disbelief for a quick second before returning his attention to the cloaked figure and bending his bow while he remains crouched, hopefully not attracting the man's attention.
Seeing the look of concern on his companion's faces makes the young cook straighten up a bit.
OK you got his attention now...keep it and give the others a chance to do something if needed. He knows we were here but why is he here. Not sure if this posture was the right one but I had to do something. I just hope it was the correct one.
D'ogryn steps away from the others trying to keep the attention on himself.
You are not one of Geolin's guard from Saltmarsh...Shall we try this again?...who are you and what are you doing here?
The House - The Wet Visitor
The hooded man turns quickly to the sound of D'ogryn's voice as he begins to shout at him. Startled and nervous looking in his movements. The dagger out in front of him shaking as he looks up. His voice squeaks at first. I...m...sory I m. Me bo flundered in de water dur te sturm. I daught the pla was empte. La I herd dis was a ol alkemist place. Yu do look old tu me! He looks at the door over his shoulder. Me friend...he be hurt I ha tu leave bu da gate...he be crippled from the rock he slammed into la night. He looks back over his shoulder. Can I bring me friend in tu res? I be hearing of news that goblins be roaming around these ways don't want to be set upon by those critters.
D
P(A)
SM
The House = The Wet Visitor
He looks back at D'ogryn not appearing to see anyone else. I be no guard of Master Geolin's...I be fisherman from the Marsh is all...was stupid not getting me boat in quick enough las night. Can you give me a hand with my friend?
D'ogryn Lets hands hand settle down low and out of the sight of the visitor. The hand pats the empty air to indicate the others to be still.
Dalt guide my tongue...and grant me the sight to see what secrets this man is hiding.
D'ogryn looks shocked at the words, his eyes grow big with the telling of the tale.
You left your friend out by the gate alone...in an area you heard was roaming with Goblins. Remind me to never get on your bad side.
never answered all of my questions, avoided saying who he is...All fisherman from Saltmarsh know this place is haunted and would not willingly go in here. Every fisherman knows the weather around here and would not be caught in a storm like that. I doubt he is telling the truth. Plus...it is not raining and has not for some time. Where did all the water come from?
You should go back to your friend right away. Get him and go around this side of the house...He points towards the east side of the house where his companions and him first entered the house...and you will see a porch with an entrance there, that is where I came in. Go inside and sit by the fire place. The years and the recent storm has made most of the floors unsafe...at least until I check them. Go now I will meet you down there as soon as I can. The steps back that way...He points to the south side of the house...are collapsed and will take too much time to climb. I will have to check the floors and steps ...He points towards the west half of the house that they have not investigated yet...before I can move forward... He looks around quickly as if he is trying to find something...Go quickly. I think I can find some dry wood to start a fire.
The young cook looks down at the man for a moment before he continues.
I know of at least one Goblin that is in the area. If your friend is crippled and alone...He will not be alive much longer. Get him to the room with the fireplace right away. I will help you when I can safely get down stairs. Breaking my neck trying to get down faster will do no one any good...most of all me.
The normally quiet young man very slowly walks down the western pathway but just a few feet. His head looking down at the floor in hopes that his actions appear to be that of a person inspecting the floor. S+#+...maybe another way down somewhere else.
He looks over at the old man one more time.
I can not make it this way. I will try to get down another way...go and get your friend in here and I will meet you in the back corner. Go.
D'ogryn looks to the others after the man has left. He walks up the north hallway to look out the window after the man.
I could be wrong but I do not think he is telling the truth. For starters it stopped raining some time ago and if he was walking all this way from the sea, he would not be dry but he would not be soaking wet to the point of puddles under him. He claims to be from Saltmarsh but everyone thinks this place is haunted and would not willingly go in here. The weather is nice and he should have made for the road and on his way back home. Hoping to catch some merchants along the way. There is then the fact that he did not tell me his name...just a fisherman from the marsh. I mentioned Geolin's name and he appears to know the name but still did not tell me who he is. Every fisherman in Saltmarsh knows the waters and the weather around here. They would not be so foolish as to get caught in a storm like that. A storm like the one last night would put his vessel far far off course. Not just up the coast. If he is who he is then we can meet him and his friend in that room and figure it out. If he is not then he will avoid the trap that is on the fireplace. Naia do you know that man. You are the whaling family of Saltmarsh and would know better than anyone if he is from home or not. Do you think what he said about his fishing vessel holds any truth?
As you look at the man he is barefoot. He has a fishing knife in his hand.
He looks up at you for moment and back out the door and then back at you.
Na...I think I will get me mate and we will rest on the poh in da front. Ya want to li a fire back ther go ah’d.
He turns and put his knife in his belt. Stops takes his hood off and starts to walk out the door from his gate he appears to be limping himself.
Edan
Edan hearing D'ogryn and this new person talking his eyebrows raise. Naia, what is going on? It sounds like that man needs help? He shouldn't be in this house...Berna knows what else is crawling around in here.
"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.
[dice=Spellcraft (Speak with dead)]1d20+7
You don't really know that much about the spell. You do know that it is essentially a divine spell.
Ferona shrugs her shoulder slightly frowning, "While I know little of such spells it is reasonable to believe they already availed themselves of such magicks already. Peran I believe until the investigation is over the....body will be kept by the guards. We can, however, help defray the costs of the burial when I begin my scrivening work on the morrow." She takes a sip of wine pondering the days events again. "I believe we have done all we can at this point. Now we need to enjoy these fine surroundings for the evening. Tomorrow will indeed be a busy one for us!"
While talking she does keep her voice down and again wonders if anybody in particular is taking an undue interest in them.
[dice=Kn. (local)]1d20 + 4
No his voice is not familiar to you but he is from Keoland. You can tell from the accent and he does sound like a sailor...his accent and talk is that of a seaman.
Ferona shrugs her shoulder slightly frowning, "While I know little of such spells it is reasonable to believe they already availed themselves of such magicks already. Peran I believe until the investigation is over the....body will be kept by the guards. We can, however, help defray the costs of the burial when I begin my scrivening work on the morrow." She takes a sip of wine pondering the days events again. "I believe we have done all we can at this point. Now we need to enjoy these fine surroundings for the evening. Tomorrow will indeed be a busy one for us!"
While talking she does keep her voice down and again wonders if anybody in particular is taking an undue interest in them.
[dice=Perception]1d20+1
As the three of you eat and talk a young man comes up to you. The man is somewhat handsome. Clearly from Saltmarsh and is probably in his early twenties. A guildsman or merchant but it is hard to tell. In a small voice, actually tender in nature. "May I sit with you lady and good sirs?"
Naia waits until the man is gone from tge housefront. She speaks quietly.
"Sounds Keoish. And a seadog at that. But what is he doing here? D'og, you and I check him and his friend out. The rest stay here. What you think?"
"Watch his friend. Could be real. Could be a trap."
As the three of you eat and talk a young man comes up to you. The man is somewhat handsome. Clearly from Saltmarsh and is probably in his early twenties. A guildsman or merchant but it is hard to tell. In a small voice, actually tender in nature. "May I sit with you lady and good sirs?"
Ferona raises an eyebrow at the man's forwardness, but does nod in response. "Of course good sair," she replies with a small smile on her face as she rises to her feet extending a hand in greeting. "And your name is..." awaiting a reply as she appraises the man.
Sounds fine to me...Best way to deal with a trap like this...is to set it off.
D'ogryn looks to the window down the north hallway.
Might get a good view of what happens from over there.
Remember we still are not certain that this house is cleared...
Brother Peran looks over the gentleman who stands before them. He nods as Ferona invites him to join them and awaits the man's name.
Rab takes position to watch from the window. Only a symbolic effort will be made to hide.
Stealth take 10 is 15 with gear.
Edan
He moves up to the edge of the railing near D'ogryn. As the man walks out he turns to D'og. "I should probably go with you. I can get them patched up and on their way. You should have an extra sword just encase it is a trap anyway."
Antas, Ferona, and Peran
The nods in appreciation and sits down. As he does he pulls out a blue silk handkerchief. "I greatly appreciate your time. I was asked to come and meet with you on behalf of Master Larthe." He finished wiping down the crumbs and debris on the table in front of him. Neatly folds his cloth and puts it away under his vest. A pin and brooch are on the vest over his heart.
I was told Ferona was interested in employment as a scribe and that I was to attend to her placement and admission into the guild. I assume you are Ferona?"
Soros
He stands halfway in the doorway to the room they slept in. "I will keep an eye on our prisoner. "
Thout
Thout walks against the wall on the east side and out of site of the downstairs towards Rabalar. The dwarf in him seems to roll out. "This doesn't smell right! I agree with the cook...a few of us should go out there."
Ferona takes her seat as the man takes a seat her eyes lingering on the brooch on his vest. "Yes I am Ferona, a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I presume you would like to see some of my writing samples?" She reaches down to her satchel and takes out a scroll case presenting it to the man. "These are some of my more recent examples."Be careful with those please."
It seems Master Larthe has some pull in this town. Very fortuitous for us!
Naia how would you like to proceed? I suggest that Rabalar puts an arrow in the first person to draw a weapon on us or shows any signs of aggression. That very well might end any thoughts of violence quickly.
I would think three head out to follow this guy they other cover us with range and spell.
The cook is quick to set things in motion.
We should make up our mind and get down stairs right away.
”Truthfully Edan, I was not sure you even owned a sword..” Naia smiles wolfishly. She thinks quickly.
”Ok, Edan, come with us as a healer. Thout, you stay here with Rab and Soros, Rab keep a target on them...”.
With that she heads down with D’og and Edan...
Sounds like a plan
”Truthfully Edan, I was not sure you even owned a sword..” Naia smiles wolfishly. She thinks quickly.
”Ok, Edan, come with us as a healer. Thout, you stay here with Rab and Soros, Rab keep a target on them...”.
With that she heads down with D’og and Edan...
Edan
Edan laughs. I do...I use it to cut down large trees that ram into my companions.
He draws his sword and as he walks down the stairwell and reaches the bottom where D'og and Naia wait he leans his staff and the rest of his belongings against the wall. Taking the field bag that Thout gave him with him.
Rabalar
Rabalar moves to the north wind and looks out between the wooden planks that are nailed on the outside. He can see the courtyard in front overgrown with small bushes and scrub trees along with several larger trees that at one time were well groomed and probably had flower beds wrapped around them but that has long overgrown. The gravel walkway is overgrown with weeds, wild grass, and spring flowers. He can see the hooded man walk out in front of the covered porch.
The olf notices a man sitting against the broken stone column that has the old iron gate attached to it. He is hiding just behind a scrub brush and some wildflowers. It would be hard for someone to tell he was there unless he was looking. A bald man from the looks of it...probably in his twenties...some sort of tattoo on his head...hard to tell from this distance (less than 60 yards and on the east side of the pathway). His head is leaning back against stone and his feet are out in front of him. You can see the toes of his boots poking out of the grass. He seems to be in pain...his head is moving back and forth.
Thout
He positions himself on the end of the hall between Rabalar and Soros. Keeping watch on both and the area around them.
He holds his shield and waraxe nervously...
"There is another out there, looks like he could be hurt, though I can't see much. He's sitting against the gate post." The Olf continues watching, but feels more confident that the precautions are unnecessary than he did a moment ago.
The Hooded Fisherman
He continues to hobble off towards the gate. His limp is noticeable as his bare feet walk on the gravel. He shouts out to his mate...There is no help in this place me mate none at all...
Bl
Dis
Ferona takes her seat as the man takes a seat her eyes lingering on the brooch on his vest. "Yes I am Ferona, a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I presume you would like to see some of my writing samples?" She reaches down to her satchel and takes out a scroll case presenting it to the man. "These are some of my more recent examples."Be careful with those please."
It seems Master Larthe has some pull in this town. Very fortuitous for us!
He gently takes the parchment and rolls it out. As he does he puts his hand in a pocket in his vest and pulls out something metallic sounding but soft. He lays out four conical weights made of copper and puts one on each edge of the parchment and then pulls out a magnifying glass. He seems to look over the parchment and the writing for a good while as he does. "This is impressive work Mistress Ferona. You have a sure hand with an elegant flare for sure. You are skilled but I can see your experience is lacking. None the less you have been well trained in the art. My understanding is that you will need access to the town records and master documents? As requested by members of the town council I am to give you membership into the guild and access but under town laws you need to be a council member, citizen, or a guild member. You will need to pay the fee for membership once approved. I will recommend your approval as this seems all in order. I will need the fee for membership and this is an annual due as you probably already know. We also retain five percent of any fee for your services. If this is all acceptable I will complete the paperwork on your behalf by the end of the day." He clears his throat politely, removes the weights and gently gathers up the parchments and hands them back to Ferona. "The cost is one gold piece for membership and is due on your anniversary each year." He then wipes off his weights and magnifying glass and puts them away.
As Ferona looks over the man you realize you never got his name. The pin is a Saltmarsh guild pin but it is clearly for scribe as there is a quill, ink bottle and rolled up parchment etched into the pin head.
Ferona offers the man a smile as she finishes putting away her writing samples. "Your words are too kind. Rest assured I do not take my assignments lightly. You will find me thorough in my work," she then reaches into her pouch and withdraws a gold eagle, "Here is my entry fee for the membership. It was a pleasure to make your acquaintance." If Ferona is disturbed by the man's lack of forthrightness here she is hiding it well.
Ender Timertikos
The young man covers his mouth in aghast... "Where are my manners! I am must apologize for that. I was so focused on meeting you and I simply forgot to be polite. I truly...truly apologize for that. He looks flushed. "Of course...my name is Ender...Ender Timertikos. To be honest I don't have many opportunities to talk to strangers... I tend to keep my eyes fixed on my many tasks at hand."
Antas can see that the man doesn't get a lot of sun and as he looks the man over closely he can see where his hands are well manicured...soft...but there is stain of black ink around the nails of the fingers...he cleans thoroughly but the tint of the ink is still there. He is not social butterfly...there is an awkwardness in his interactions.
Ferona notes that when he talks to Antas his reactions are bit more relaxed...albeit still stiff and awkward but the young man not nearly has comfortable in his discussions with her.
Outside the house
D'ogryn, Naia, and Edan make their way down the old staircase and into the main entry hall. They notice nothing out of the norm as they approach the door they can see where the man must have kicked or pushed in the broken door as bits and pieces lay around the inside all around the door entry.
As you walk on to the porch you can see the man is about twenty or so feet up the weed infested walkway. The sunlight hits your eyes and it is like someone has driven a hot poker into your eyes. Your eyes begin to water from the direct bright light and it will take a few minutes for your eyes to adjust as you have been in the dim light for so long.
Ferona offer the shy man a (hopefully) reassuring smile here. "All is forgiven Ender. As we will soon be working together there is no need for formality among us. Would you care to stay for dinner?" She does take a moment here to read the man's body language further trying to determine the source of his discomfort.
The Party - 4th Day of Readying, GodsDay
Morning - Eight Hours and a Few Minutes Past Midnight
First Floor
Second Floor
HN 25
RE 15 == 30 right now
PLHN 15
Rabalar - Thout - Soros Perception Checks
Rabalar
Thout
Soros
Random Encounter
Rabalar
Rabalar hears something...it is faint like scratching...like the centipedes or spiders...it is nearby. As you look around at Thout he doesn't appear to have heard what you heard. It is hard to tell if Soros heard it as his back is to you and must be looking at the goblin in the room down the hall.
Ferona offer the shy man a (hopefully) reassuring smile here. "All is forgiven Ender. As we will soon be working together there is no need for formality among us. Would you care to stay for dinner?" She does take a moment here to read the man's body language further trying to determine the source of his discomfort.
[dice=Sense Motive]1d20+1
Ender nods and smiles. He has a good smile and you can tell he likes to laugh. Thank you for the pardon. Sometimes I forget my manners...to much time in the library and reading halls. I will attend to these matters for you. He takes the gold coin, cleans it and puts it away in a pocket in his vest. I will have your guild pin, and access to the hall records by the end of the day.
"Head's up. I hear something. Sounds like the bugs or spiders moving about."
Ferona returns his smile and, seeing he is about to leave, adds somewhat impulsively "We will be staying here for a few days at the very least. Perhaps tomorrow Ender?"
The Mayor's son! Interesting he is here now...could it be the Mayor is playing his own game here? I truly hope not...he seems unsuited to such endeavors.
As they get to the doorway, D'ogryn speaks up.
Naia do you mind if I take point on this situation...or do you want to?
He makes some suggestions...
If this is a trap I want to have some surprise left on our side. I would ask that you stay inside just beyond the door. Remain hidden and ready to go if the need arises. Edan you stay by the door in plain sight. Keep you a healer's satchel or something like it out in front of you. I hope this will give the appearance that you are ready to lend aid to the wounded. We will wait for them to come to us.
He looks to the two companions.
I am still uneasy about this whole thing. He leaves his mate wounded and alone by the gate, he knows Goblins are about. He also shouts out to him...or was it a shout to others unseen? I gave them a place to come in out of the elements to warm up and to start a fire but he decided it was better to sit outside wet and cold. None of this adds up.
Edan
He looks at to the gate and the wall. The man is about halfway to his mate at this point maybe thirty yards are so...he is not moving fast as he limps along on the old graveled trail.
If his mate is hurt it could take him a bit to get him back here. He looks closely at the man and he can see the man with the bald head.[/b]
There is his mate...against the stone column to the right by the gate. Edan points down the trail to the man. He looks puzzled and then turns to Naia and D'og. He doesn't have shoes but his mates has boots...see. He points again at the gate. See just above the wild flowers...looks like the tips of old boots...maybe my eyes are seeing things... He looks again at the man limping along and watches him. His feet are bare but he he has a tan line where there were boots. Edan puts his hand on his sword and drops his bag by the door. Something is not right...