Before Yga leaves for the temple, Rask turns to the group and suggests they make a plan. "The mansion haunting occurs at night. Perhaps we should arrive earlier to determine if the mansion is indeed empty and, if so, whether anyone enters close to nightfall who could be causing the disturbance?".
Nestor Tabi, the tall, muscular high priest of Kord listens to Yga. While Yga did not embody the aspect of strength that devotees of Kord venerated, he was impressed with her determination and had always been supportive because of her strong stamina and constitution, which were also seen as desirable qualities for priests of Kord.
Nestor Tabi gives her four vials of holy water, and explains that he doesn't have a good reason for not investigating Makaster House, other than he was unsure of the validity of the stories. He smiles and tells her it's up to her to rectify that oversight on behalf of the Temple of Kord.
Yga graciously accepts holy water and pledges to Nestor Tabi, that she will do the order of Kord proud. As she leaves, she muses over the High Priest. Not one to make fun of people's names (out loud), Yga cycles through a few puerile options that gives her private amusement on her way back to the party. Nestor Tabi - Abit Stoner, Stoner Bait, Bone Strait, Boner Stait, and so on.
Yga approaches the party, distractedly muttering to herself, "intro beats, nitro beast *chortle*, broniest tan, into breast....*snort*, hoo, I bet he is!".
Yga meets the others at the east gate, still giggling to herself. The wall here is newer than the crumbly north gate you entered by when you arrived in Saltmarsh. Paid for by the Royal Treasury, and most Traditionalists in Saltmarsh think it was a waste of time and money which would have been better spent on defences against the Hool Marsh denizens or raiding Sea Princes' ships from the sea.
The garrison at the gate consists of older guards, those nearing retirement and unwilling or unable to walk patrols. Their eyes are sharp, and they are prone to gossip. Yakeerk tells the others that news of their departure will spread to anyone willing to trade the guards something for it. They nod to Yakeerk as you pass through the gate and onto the road heading east. "You'll have to pay to re-enter the gate," advises Yakeerk. "Unless you're a citizen. It's only tuppence (2cp)."
The road to the house winds through the rocky coastal terrain, often offering a view of the sea below. Low clouds press upon you; occasional patches of tepid rain appear to make the trip less enjoyable. A stiff wind blows in off the waves, carrying the briny stink of churning salt water.
At one point, about a mile from Saltmarsh, where the drop-off overlooks the beach 50ft below, you notice six giant crabs, the size of a human, with blood-red shells are hulking over a pile of dark green seaweed. They seem to be digging into the seaweed, maybe trying to get at something under it.
Yakeerk looks down. "Around here they are called Southern Giant Crabs. I am surprised to see them here, normally they are on islands to the south. They can be dangerous."
Yga feels safe at the top of the cliff and imagine that the crabs would see her as a tasty morsel if she would get too close to them. She will consider casting Guiding Bolt from a safe distance, but only if the rest of the party engage in combat.
Zaerra looks around the group. She is very curious about what has the crabs so interested, but not sure she is 50' drop curious. She is ready to cast Sacred Flame should the group engage.
Yga considers Irob's fire bolt and poses a question, "Hey Irob, I bet you could take one or two of them out with that fire bolt ability and that would scare the rest away. We could then have a look at what they are pawing at. And possibly get some cooked crab for provisions. What say you?"
Yga considers Irob's fire bolt and poses a question, "Hey Irob, I bet you could take one or two of them out with that fire bolt ability and that would scare the rest away. We could then have a look at what they are pawing at. And possibly get some cooked crab for provisions. What say you?"
"While I do not partake in the consumption of organic matter it may be beneficial to the party as a whole if we were to take some crab meat with us. Additionally I would be inclined to discover what has preoccupied their attention."
Irob continues to cast multiple fire bolt spells at the crabs, backed up by Zaerra with various damage causing cantrips (fire bolt, sacred flame, and toll the dead) until the crabs are driven off the beach and back into the water. They are still there lurking, but at the moment the beach is clear.
Before Yga leaves for the temple, Rask turns to the group and suggests they make a plan. "The mansion haunting occurs at night. Perhaps we should arrive earlier to determine if the mansion is indeed empty and, if so, whether anyone enters close to nightfall who could be causing the disturbance?".
Yakeerk agrees. "Makes sense, shall we go as soon as Yga returns? We can meet at the east gate."
Makaster House is 4 miles east of Saltmarsh
Nestor Tabi, the tall, muscular high priest of Kord listens to Yga. While Yga did not embody the aspect of strength that devotees of Kord venerated, he was impressed with her determination and had always been supportive because of her strong stamina and constitution, which were also seen as desirable qualities for priests of Kord.
Nestor Tabi gives her four vials of holy water, and explains that he doesn't have a good reason for not investigating Makaster House, other than he was unsure of the validity of the stories. He smiles and tells her it's up to her to rectify that oversight on behalf of the Temple of Kord.
Yga graciously accepts holy water and pledges to Nestor Tabi, that she will do the order of Kord proud. As she leaves, she muses over the High Priest. Not one to make fun of people's names (out loud), Yga cycles through a few puerile options that gives her private amusement on her way back to the party. Nestor Tabi - Abit Stoner, Stoner Bait, Bone Strait, Boner Stait, and so on.
Yga approaches the party, distractedly muttering to herself, "intro beats, nitro beast *chortle*, broniest tan, into breast....*snort*, hoo, I bet he is!".
Yga meets the others at the east gate, still giggling to herself. The wall here is newer than the crumbly north gate you entered by when you arrived in Saltmarsh. Paid for by the Royal Treasury, and most Traditionalists in Saltmarsh think it was a waste of time and money which would have been better spent on defences against the Hool Marsh denizens or raiding Sea Princes' ships from the sea.
The garrison at the gate consists of older guards, those nearing retirement and unwilling or unable to walk patrols. Their eyes are sharp, and they are prone to gossip. Yakeerk tells the others that news of their departure will spread to anyone willing to trade the guards something for it. They nod to Yakeerk as you pass through the gate and onto the road heading east. "You'll have to pay to re-enter the gate," advises Yakeerk. "Unless you're a citizen. It's only tuppence (2cp)."
The road to the house winds through the rocky coastal terrain, often offering a view of the sea below. Low clouds press upon you; occasional patches of tepid rain appear to make the trip less enjoyable. A stiff wind blows in off the waves, carrying the briny stink of churning salt water.
At one point, about a mile from Saltmarsh, where the drop-off overlooks the beach 50ft below, you notice six giant crabs, the size of a human, with blood-red shells are hulking over a pile of dark green seaweed. They seem to be digging into the seaweed, maybe trying to get at something under it.
"What is happening down there?" Zaerra asks and points to the crabs. "Those are mighty big buggers, what type of crab are they?"
Yakeerk looks down. "Around here they are called Southern Giant Crabs. I am surprised to see them here, normally they are on islands to the south. They can be dangerous."
Irob will throw a fire bolt to the side of the crabs in an attempt to distract them from the seaweed they're digging in and get a better look
The crabs skitter away briefly, orientated towards the area where the fire bolt hit. Then they start creeping back.
The party are on top of the small 50ft cliff, and the crabs are at the bottom of the cliff, on the beach.
Yga feels safe at the top of the cliff and imagine that the crabs would see her as a tasty morsel if she would get too close to them. She will consider casting Guiding Bolt from a safe distance, but only if the rest of the party engage in combat.
Zaerra looks around the group. She is very curious about what has the crabs so interested, but not sure she is 50' drop curious. She is ready to cast Sacred Flame should the group engage.
Yga considers Irob's fire bolt and poses a question, "Hey Irob, I bet you could take one or two of them out with that fire bolt ability and that would scare the rest away. We could then have a look at what they are pawing at. And possibly get some cooked crab for provisions. What say you?"
"While I do not partake in the consumption of organic matter it may be beneficial to the party as a whole if we were to take some crab meat with us. Additionally I would be inclined to discover what has preoccupied their attention."
Irob will cast firebolt at the largest crab:
14 to hit for 9 damage
The fire bolt hits the crab but its shell absorbs most of the blast. It's red shell has a scorch mark but the crab is undamaged.
Irob will fire another 2 firebolts
13, 16 to hit
3 damage
Irob continues to cast multiple fire bolt spells at the crabs, backed up by Zaerra with various damage causing cantrips (fire bolt, sacred flame, and toll the dead) until the crabs are driven off the beach and back into the water. They are still there lurking, but at the moment the beach is clear.
Rask will look for a path down to the beach. If there isn't one she will tie a rope so the party (or some of the party) can climb down to investigate.
There's no path so Rask ties off a rope on an appropriate anchor - a large rock.