As Kirian ungags the man he says I tried to tell the little bugger not to step there. Is he still alive? and then
I'm Ned. Ned Shakeshaft. I uh. I uh. I dunno how I got here see. I walked into the back kitchen and then BANG someone clocked me from behind. Next thing I wake up here. And then the little guy falls through the floor.
To Ned, "He should be fine. I can hear him coming back up already."
Kirian continues, leaving out some key details for now,
"I'm a researcher for a university, here to investigate the legends that this house is haunted. These fine folks are my travel companions and body guards. We saw the door was wide open. Was that you?"
Looking back at the hole in the floor,
"Hmmm... Let's get you out of this room before we end up downstairs, then I can untie you and we'll talk."
"We can lower you guys down," Habbi says, "And join the bunch of you downstairs. I'd feel more comfortable talking on solid ground."
Ned says Sure. Uh. Yeah. Untie me first? So I don't fall through?
Kirian debates untying him for a moment, figuring the party outnumbers him if he tries anything funny, but thinks it best to wait.
"I don't know that I trust this rope to hold with both our weights on it. We can walk back the way I came into the room and then we'll go downstairs and untie you."
"Forgive me, we mean you absolutely no harm, but we've been through a lot the past couple days. I really hope you understand."
"Upstairs...downstairs...through the floor...adventuring..sheesh!"
The wounded halfling grumbles as the party file back downstairs to talk to the bound man.
"Sorry, Peren," Habbi shrugs apologetically.
Peren give a small grin.
"Not your fault...just this is all so much different than life at home. Right now we would be having a nice snack out on the bench in front of the store, not falling through a floor and crawling up and down some dusty stairs in a haunted house. Sigh"
"A simple life is not our style, buddy. I am sure the payout will be worth it," Habbi laughs.
"Yeah, well I will wait to see that! I suppose helping others is worthwhile too...just wish it did not hurt so much..or have big bugs involved!"
To Habbi and Peren, "I'm having far more fun than I did in the university library, for what it's worth."
Habbi gets the feeling that "Ned" isn't all what he is saying he is.
The party heads downstairs and unties Ned. He stretches his hands and says Thanks guys! I owe ya one.
"So, Ned, what were you doing in here before you were knocked out?"
Rolen follows diligently behind the others and watches the new stranger with interest as they talk...
Rolen tilts his head, Must be some bug or rat that managed to jump you and tie you.
To Rolen, "With the critters we've encountered in here, I wouldn't be surprised by that."
Kirian tries to observe Ned while joking around. He notes that Habbi seems a bit suspicious of him.
"Let's let Ned tell his story before we jump to conclusions."
The only feeling that's clear to Kirian right now is that whatever is going on at this house, it's not supernatural. Ghosts don't need ropes.
Insight:
Watching Habbiès reactions to the newcomer, Peren also scrutinizes the fellow and listens carefully to his story.
Ned shrugs dismissively Well, I uh. I'm from Seaton see. I uh. heard there was call for adventurers in Saltmarsh. I could use the coin. So, uh. I decided to head for Saltmarsh, except I got a late start see. It was getting dark, and uh. Well, I needed a place to sleep. So, uh. I decided to sleep here. I came in through uh, the back door and uh, that's when I got walloped. I. Uh. I could really use the coin. So, could I maybe join your group of adventurers? I can uh, open a lock.
Using the hidden language of the trade (Thieves' Cant), Peren asks Ned what his true intentions area here in Saltmarsh.
Ned seems shocked, and he tries to cover it up. He reluctantly responds to Peren in Thieves Cant
Habbi looks back and forth between Peren and Ned, then to the others and shrugs.
So what's your business here abouts? What brought you to this particular spot, and more importantly, who conked you and tied you up. Tell me straight now...you dont want these cutters and spell tossers to get the wrong idea now do you???
Intimidate:
"Just have a little chat with my new friend here...fill you all in in a sec."
Kirian shrugs at Habbi, "I have no idea what they're saying. Probably some secret Rogue's code."
Carric leans over near Rolen.
I do not like this, friend. This guy was held here by someone for some reason. Is he an enemy of our enemy, or just an enemy?
Rolen takes to merely frowning at the sudden clandestine exchange of information and nods after Carric's question.
Ned blinks at Peren and frowns
Here is a link to the rules I didn't make them up, someone else did I just stole them because I thought they were great.
Here is Ned's Companion stats, his actual statblock is secret =)
Ned Shakeshaft, Human Rogue (2 injury boxes, can gain inspiration, can become loyal)
Knife in the Back (1/Encounter). When you hit a creature with a melee attack, Ned can assist you and stab the creature in an unprotected area dealing +2d6 damage.
Oh no you don't. Ned can spend his inspiration(or yours) to force an enemy to reroll one attack against you or an ally within 10 feet.
Thief! (1/Encounter) If Ned is loyal, he can steal one item from an enemy when you hit it with a melee attack. The item must not be held by the enemy.
[ooc]I agree the pace has been slow, but it is the 4th of July weekend. I would not have expected manynposts over the last three days.[/oic]
Let us finish the scouting of the remainder of the house and head down to the basement.
Peren looks at the rest of the group, then back at ned, shaking his head.
"Sorry mate, but I don't think we need another person in our group. Best you make yourself scares in this area too."
"We should get back to searching the house. I'll leave it to the majority as to whether Ned should join us or not."
And then whispering in Elvish, to Carric and Rolen,
"But at the first sign of trouble take him down."
"Sorry, Ned. I trust my buddy Peren's judgement in this. I am glad that you are okay, but maybe you'd be better off heading back to town."
Rolen raises an eyebrow at the wizard and then nods with certainty.
Ned looks a bit dejected as he walks off, in his smallclothes, towards the front door.
"Well now that that is done, lets continue searching the upper levels. Shall we?"
"After you, Peren. Shall we check out the two rooms that were ahead of the one where we found Ned? Or maybe go the other direction and hope the floor is more sturdy?"
Habbi rummages through his pack and produces a set of simple clothes, "Hey, Ned!"
He tosses the clothes to the thief, "Maybe next time."
--
"Let's check out the room adjacent to the one we found Ned in."
Carric keeps an arrow notched to his bow and simply stares at Ned as he departs. Then he trails the others as they proceed to the next room.
Habbi checks and opens the two doors
Kirian takes his quarterstaff and slowly enters the first room .
He tests the integrity of the floor with his staff before fully entering and looks around.
Kirian notices how quiet it is and wonders if he's already been eaten by some sort of giant vermin and just hasn't realized it yet.
Habbi presses his finger to his lips and whispers, "We're hunting wabbits!"
Kirian steps into the room, disturbing the webbing that is draped around the room. There is skittering movement above! Two hideously large spiders move towards Kirian.
Round 1
Rolen
Carric
Peren
Habbi
Kirian
Spiders
Kirian shouts, "Again with the damned spiders?"
He hurls a Fire Bolt at the nearest spider in anger and then steps back out the door.
Carric takes aim at the nearest spider and fires into its carapace.
"Awww...man! Not again!"
The halfling fires his bow at the furthest spider.
attack-ranged:
Damage:
Habbi slips into the room, crouching between Kirian and the spiders, readying an action to bring his mace down on the first one to approach.