The alligator hisses with fury and swims away into the swamp. It may not be sentient, but it would still rather live to eat another day.
Barkeep manages to get the skiff pushed out of the mud. He re-boards the skiff and picks up his pole.
"I'll reckon we hit that alligator's nest. The gators round here are mighty strange, keeping hoards of coins and other shiny things in their homes. Some say they've got dragon blood, but I don't remember a dragon ever living in these parts. Now that I think of it, I don't believe alligators normally have nests."
A huge shape looms in the big ahead of the skiff. On closer inspection, it reveals itself to be a positively ancient house. Once three stories high, the first floor has sunken into the swamp, leaving a second-floor balcony that stands a few inches over the water as the only viable entry point. Barkeep stops the skiff next to the balcony.
"Here it is. I'm sure the residents are just dying to meet you. If you want to know anything about this place before you enter, go ahead."
Kathleen looks up at the house and says, "You've been here for a long time. Who built this place and how did it end up this way? You know, tell me the basic history of this place and what we can expect to find inside." She then thinks for a bit and says, "Aren't there supposed to be other people inside? The three guys who went in to have a look before we did?"
"Well, this place used to be owned by the former richest family in town, the Ballantines. Of course, in rich families, insanity ("and inbreeding" he whispers under his breath,) is quite common, and the Ballantines were no exception. Of course, they tried to keep this secret, but all the rumors of madness were confirmed one night when the family matriarch went berserk, murdered her entire family, and proceeded to take her own life with an axe. To discourage looting and get this place as far away from us as possible, we cut the house off from the town and let it drift away. We're pretty sure it's haunted. As for the three, I ferried them over here and never heard from them again."
As Clodius settles down from the long gone threat of the alligators: "Hmm, quite peculiar you dropped them off and haven't heard back. Hopefully we find them in one piece and living! Hell of a story these Ballantines have, well then, up we go!"
Clodius takes a big step unto the second-floor balcony.
The floor sags under the weight of two people, but doesn't collapse. There is one doorway on the balcony, leading into the pitch-black interior of the house.
You can now see the entire room in all it's rotted and dingy glory. Of course, this includes the decades-old bloodstains on the floor, the dirty water dripping from the ceiling, and other awful little details.
(Note: working on ASCII map. Will be added later.)
Alligator initiative
15
Walton Gibson - Human Cleric, Level 1
Kathleen's initiative: 15
(Since the alligator has low dexterity, you can go first if yours is over 10.)
Walton Gibson - Human Cleric, Level 1
(It is.)
Kathleen fires an arrow at the alligator. Hit: 23 Dmg: 6
The arrow flies straight and true, but the pain only enrages the beast.
It lunges for Kathleen, its movement kicking up muddy water.
8
11
It does a mighty fine job of eating air.
Walton Gibson - Human Cleric, Level 1
(I'm assuming it's my turn now)
Clodius stands up on the boat and casts fire bolt from the tip of his wand at the alligator.
Attack: 15 Damage: 7
The alligator hisses with fury and swims away into the swamp. It may not be sentient, but it would still rather live to eat another day.
Barkeep manages to get the skiff pushed out of the mud. He re-boards the skiff and picks up his pole.
"I'll reckon we hit that alligator's nest. The gators round here are mighty strange, keeping hoards of coins and other shiny things in their homes. Some say they've got dragon blood, but I don't remember a dragon ever living in these parts. Now that I think of it, I don't believe alligators normally have nests."
Walton Gibson - Human Cleric, Level 1
"That sounds interesting. Maybe we can see one sometime." Kathleen says cheerfully as she puts her bow away.
Without a word, Barkeep begins paddling.
one hour later...
A huge shape looms in the big ahead of the skiff. On closer inspection, it reveals itself to be a positively ancient house. Once three stories high, the first floor has sunken into the swamp, leaving a second-floor balcony that stands a few inches over the water as the only viable entry point. Barkeep stops the skiff next to the balcony.
"Here it is. I'm sure the residents are just dying to meet you. If you want to know anything about this place before you enter, go ahead."
Walton Gibson - Human Cleric, Level 1
Kathleen looks up at the house and says, "You've been here for a long time. Who built this place and how did it end up this way? You know, tell me the basic history of this place and what we can expect to find inside." She then thinks for a bit and says, "Aren't there supposed to be other people inside? The three guys who went in to have a look before we did?"
"Well, this place used to be owned by the former richest family in town, the Ballantines. Of course, in rich families, insanity ("and inbreeding" he whispers under his breath,) is quite common, and the Ballantines were no exception. Of course, they tried to keep this secret, but all the rumors of madness were confirmed one night when the family matriarch went berserk, murdered her entire family, and proceeded to take her own life with an axe. To discourage looting and get this place as far away from us as possible, we cut the house off from the town and let it drift away. We're pretty sure it's haunted. As for the three, I ferried them over here and never heard from them again."
Walton Gibson - Human Cleric, Level 1
"What do you think happened to them? You think we can find them in there and bring them back?"
"In this swamp, people sometimes disappear without a trace. It's a fact of life. As for finding them, good luck with that. I'm staying on the boat."
Walton Gibson - Human Cleric, Level 1
As Clodius settles down from the long gone threat of the alligators: "Hmm, quite peculiar you dropped them off and haven't heard back. Hopefully we find them in one piece and living! Hell of a story these Ballantines have, well then, up we go!"
Clodius takes a big step unto the second-floor balcony.
Kathleen also climbs on to the 2nd floor balcony.
The floor sags under the weight of two people, but doesn't collapse. There is one doorway on the balcony, leading into the pitch-black interior of the house.
Walton Gibson - Human Cleric, Level 1
"Oh my, let's light things up in there and take a looksee"
Clodius casts dancing lights and sends 4 globules of light inside the room.
Perception: 2
You can now see the entire room in all it's rotted and dingy glory. Of course, this includes the decades-old bloodstains on the floor, the dirty water dripping from the ceiling, and other awful little details.
(Note: working on ASCII map. Will be added later.)
Walton Gibson - Human Cleric, Level 1
Kathleen takes her bow out and says to Clodius, "So how good are you at melee combat?"
As the sun sets Merkur lays down his weary head and sleeps long and hard. His snoring can be heard over the sounds of the outside.