Zaerra volunteers to stay at the top of the cliff to guard the rope and fire upon any crabs who look like they might be getting a little too brave and too close.
She will climb down if she really has to but isn't super keen.
Yakeerk launches himself off the cliff without the rope, making everyone gasp. And then his wings unfold and he glides down to the bottom. He ruffles his feathers on landing in a manner the party are starting to recognise as a sign of amusement.
"Anyone else coming down?" he asks, looking up at the rest on the top of the cliff.
Rask, Yakeerk, and Susk walk across the sand to the large pile of seaweed. There are smaller crabs, no threat to anyone, in the seaweed pile. The three of you move the seaweed to one side until near the bottom of the heap you find the body of probably a human male. Probably human because the smaller crabs appear to have got to the body and extremities like nose, ears, lips and some fingers, are all gone, so it could be an elf or half-elf. The body wears normal clothes, shirt and pants and boots.
There's a few blasts as those up on the cliff let off some cantrips to keep the crabs from coming ashore as they had taken an interest in the activity on the beach. After a while the giant crabs give up and leave the area.
Susk will knell beside the body and examine it, looking for obvious signs of injury or anything unusual that may be left after it has been left at the mercy of the oceans.
"Watch for our friends to return" he says with a nod toward the ocean, "although if you drag the body of their companion near the edge of the water they may find that an easier meal than us"
Multiple slash wounds with a curved blade or more likely blades, as he was attacked from different directions, appears to be the cause of death.
Susk takes the victim's boots off, he knows it's a good place to hide things, and finds a compartment in one heel. He finds and takes out metal insignia, a helmet over a shield. The victim did not want people to know his allegiance to whoever is associated with this insignia, but needed to carry it for some reason, maybe identity for others of the same group or organisation.
Rask keeps an eye on the ocean, watching for a sign the giant crabs might return. However, she also follows what Susk is doing- although she's no good as a tracker, it pays to know what's going on. She takes a closer look at the insignia to see if she recognises the symbol.
Having established herself as useless to the cause at hand Rask instead turns her attention to the remains of the giant crab, scavenging for meat that she can carry (or persuade Yakeerk to carry) back to the waiting party.
Susk wrinkles his forehead as he feels there is something familiar about the body in front of him. Shaking his head slightly, he sighs and mutters under his breath, before turning to the others.
"Well that seems to be all that is here to find, perhaps we can get information about that insignia when we get back to town." He get to his feet and heads to help Rask forage some meat from the crab.
Between them all they hack off claws and legs containing enough crab meat for the week, if it lasts that long. Yakeerk flies it up to the top of the cliff and waits for the others to climb up the rope.
"I'll report the body to the Town Guard when I get back, but they probably won't even look," says the owlin ranger. "Outside of the walls of Saltmarsh, so they'll not be bothered."
They continue the remaining three miles to Makaster House. 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 sunlight appear out over the water. A stiff wind blows in off the waves, carrying the briny stink of churning salt water. The road to Makaster House splits south from the main road between Seaton and Saltmarsh.
The decrepit house sits on the highest ground in the area. Around it, a stone wall has crumbled in many places, exposing the interior grounds. An ornate metal gate lies open at the end of the road, swaying slightly in the wind. Wild flora grows throughout the inner yard, but all the years cannot hide the evidence of a well-tended garden that once sat here. Near the house, the rotted wooden roof of a water well rises out of the tall grass.
"I could to a lap of the outside of the house, see if there is anything to observe from the air," suggests Yakeerk. "But we'd lose any element of surprise if someone saw me."
"Great idea Yakeerk. We'd probably lose the element of surprise at some stage anyway, but I think this would be outweighed by finding out stuff that we can't easily see and being surprised during exploration. It would also give us some more options. Chocks away!"
"I saw nothing that worried me. There was some movement in the garden and I saw some small mammals. There were no faces in any of the windows or movement inside that I could see."
"There are breaches in the walls, from age I suspect. We could enter the garden at any point of the compass if we don't want to go through the main gate."
"There are three entrances, a main door, and two back entrances. The house is in the shape of a T."
"While I am sure there is no one to mind, I think I would prefer we start around at one of the back entrances" Susk says after lsitening to Yakeerk's description. "That way we can have a closer look as we move around the back."
"I concur that we should start exploring at the back of the house. It may also be beneficial if we intend to stake out the house that we mount multiple lookouts and utilise simple spells such as message to communicate between groups?"
He looks to Zaerra
"Do you have access to such capabilities? If not we can manage with just myself, however it will prove less optimal"
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Zaerra volunteers to stay at the top of the cliff to guard the rope and fire upon any crabs who look like they might be getting a little too brave and too close.
She will climb down if she really has to but isn't super keen.
Same for Yga, but she does yell out, "Bring up somma that crab!" (assuming that there is some scorched crab bits)
There's one dead crab there.
Yakeerk launches himself off the cliff without the rope, making everyone gasp. And then his wings unfold and he glides down to the bottom. He ruffles his feathers on landing in a manner the party are starting to recognise as a sign of amusement.
"Anyone else coming down?" he asks, looking up at the rest on the top of the cliff.
Rask grabs the rope and abseils down the rock face. "I'm coming! You'll have to excuse my slow pace. Lack of wings, you see."
Susk will head down the rope with Rask. He is curious to see what the crabs were interested in, and to see if he can persuade them to stay away.
Rask, Yakeerk, and Susk walk across the sand to the large pile of seaweed. There are smaller crabs, no threat to anyone, in the seaweed pile. The three of you move the seaweed to one side until near the bottom of the heap you find the body of probably a human male. Probably human because the smaller crabs appear to have got to the body and extremities like nose, ears, lips and some fingers, are all gone, so it could be an elf or half-elf. The body wears normal clothes, shirt and pants and boots.
There's a few blasts as those up on the cliff let off some cantrips to keep the crabs from coming ashore as they had taken an interest in the activity on the beach. After a while the giant crabs give up and leave the area.
Actions?
Susk will knell beside the body and examine it, looking for obvious signs of injury or anything unusual that may be left after it has been left at the mercy of the oceans.
"Watch for our friends to return" he says with a nod toward the ocean, "although if you drag the body of their companion near the edge of the water they may find that an easier meal than us"
Multiple slash wounds with a curved blade or more likely blades, as he was attacked from different directions, appears to be the cause of death.
Susk takes the victim's boots off, he knows it's a good place to hide things, and finds a compartment in one heel. He finds and takes out metal insignia, a helmet over a shield. The victim did not want people to know his allegiance to whoever is associated with this insignia, but needed to carry it for some reason, maybe identity for others of the same group or organisation.
Rask keeps an eye on the ocean, watching for a sign the giant crabs might return. However, she also follows what Susk is doing- although she's no good as a tracker, it pays to know what's going on. She takes a closer look at the insignia to see if she recognises the symbol.
History: 14
Rask has no idea. Doesn't remember ever seeing that symbol.
Having established herself as useless to the cause at hand Rask instead turns her attention to the remains of the giant crab, scavenging for meat that she can carry (or persuade Yakeerk to carry) back to the waiting party.
Susk wrinkles his forehead as he feels there is something familiar about the body in front of him. Shaking his head slightly, he sighs and mutters under his breath, before turning to the others.
"Well that seems to be all that is here to find, perhaps we can get information about that insignia when we get back to town." He get to his feet and heads to help Rask forage some meat from the crab.
Between them all they hack off claws and legs containing enough crab meat for the week, if it lasts that long. Yakeerk flies it up to the top of the cliff and waits for the others to climb up the rope.
"I'll report the body to the Town Guard when I get back, but they probably won't even look," says the owlin ranger. "Outside of the walls of Saltmarsh, so they'll not be bothered."
They continue the remaining three miles to Makaster House. 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 sunlight appear out over the water. A stiff wind blows in off the waves, carrying the briny stink of churning salt water. The road to Makaster House splits south from the main road between Seaton and Saltmarsh.
The decrepit house sits on the highest ground in the area. Around it, a stone wall has crumbled in many places, exposing the interior grounds. An ornate metal gate lies open at the end of the road, swaying slightly in the wind. Wild flora grows throughout the inner yard, but all the years cannot hide the evidence of a well-tended garden that once sat here. Near the house, the rotted wooden roof of a water well rises out of the tall grass.
"I could to a lap of the outside of the house, see if there is anything to observe from the air," suggests Yakeerk. "But we'd lose any element of surprise if someone saw me."
"It is probably worth a look either way. Unless someone wants to try and sneak up for a look." Zaerra looks around the group.
"Great idea Yakeerk. We'd probably lose the element of surprise at some stage anyway, but I think this would be outweighed by finding out stuff that we can't easily see and being surprised during exploration. It would also give us some more options. Chocks away!"
Yakeerk rises into the air and does a lap of the house's perimeter and lands again next to the rest.
Perception check: 18
"I saw nothing that worried me. There was some movement in the garden and I saw some small mammals. There were no faces in any of the windows or movement inside that I could see."
"There are breaches in the walls, from age I suspect. We could enter the garden at any point of the compass if we don't want to go through the main gate."
"There are three entrances, a main door, and two back entrances. The house is in the shape of a T."
"While I am sure there is no one to mind, I think I would prefer we start around at one of the back entrances" Susk says after lsitening to Yakeerk's description. "That way we can have a closer look as we move around the back."
"I concur that we should start exploring at the back of the house. It may also be beneficial if we intend to stake out the house that we mount multiple lookouts and utilise simple spells such as message to communicate between groups?"
He looks to Zaerra
"Do you have access to such capabilities? If not we can manage with just myself, however it will prove less optimal"