This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Khelnes furious that the Peryton is still alive, squints towards the bird. He begins to run a few feet out of the cave and casts another Eldritch Blast toward the bird.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Gulin Runehammer and Khelnes Bahlnurath:
The fire-bolt and eldritch blast are sent forth from your hands at the same moment. Both were fired hasty in an effort to save Noria and arc right over the Peryton's head. Julark mutters loudly, "by Moradin make your spells count!" He fits another bolt into the crossbow, and loosens it in the direction of the beast.
Julark's crossbow bolt also misses the mark as the Peryton's gore's Noria's heart out. As the Peryton eats Noria's heart you notice the shadow of the beast change from a humanoid shape to reflect the Peryton's true form.
Unsatiated by it's most recent kill, the Peryton lets loose a shriek and dives towards Julark. It's claws rip Julark's armor, slashing through his layers of protection, and wounding his soft flesh. The Peryton is now in the mouth of the cave, next to the three of you! Blood is flowing freely from the gaping hopes that have been slashed through Julark's armor as it barely hangs against his skin. "We've got to put this down or we are done for!" Julark yells back to the two of you.
You worriedly glance back into the cave. You see a small locked box alongside a fire pit and a makeshift bed. The cave only goes back about 40 feet before its mossy ceiling curves down towards the ground. There is nowhere left to run!
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Angus McTavin Perception Roll: 15
Caspia Aspergina Perception Roll: 10
Angus McTavin and Caspia Aspergina:
You easily spot the green and red stalks of the bloodkeep along the cliff walls. The lowest patch seems to be about 15 feet off the ground on a small ledge. Around this section the rock wall is almost entirely sheer until it reaches the ledge with bloodkeep. You do spot a few small hand holds which you could attempt to use to climb up towards the ledge, but it may be dangerous.
Angust McTavin:
As your eyes wander back towards the coast you notice a wooden object washed ashore about 100 feet away among the smaller boulders where the beach narrows against the cliffs. You don't remember seeing this object last time you were on the beach, but you haven't returned since the night you rescued Caspia.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
With nowhere to go and no other option, Gulin hefts his hammer, infusing it with some magical energy before bringing down an overhead two-handed strike at the Peryton.
Booming Blade. Attack: 14 Damage: 8 . Extra Damage: 4 on movement.
After the glancing blow, the hammer slams down into the floor of the cave, a burst of thunder energy reverberating through the cavern and sending loose sand flying.
Gulin holds the haft of his hammer defensively, risking an attack as he backs up out of the creature's limited range.
A weak swing from Gulin's hammer gently clips the Peryton's wing. As Gulin backs away from the creature, the Peryton clumsily lashes out with its feet towards Gulin, his outstretched hammer deftly deflects the blow. The Peryton's feathers begin to stand on end as the static electricity builds around the monster.
Khelnes sees Gulin deflect the blow. He thinks to himself that this man must not be part of the mining group since he is adept in combat. Khelnes casts a Sacred Flame at the Peryton, hoping that it will demoralize it.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Gulin Runehammer and Khelnes Bahlnurath:
Peryton Rolls: Hidden
Khelnes Bahlnurath Sacred Flame Damage: 9
A pillar of fire and light descends from the mouth of the cavern ceiling, engulfing the Peryton. The Peryton let's loose one final squawk as its feathers are pealed away by the divine radiance. It collapses at the cavern's opening, finally unmoving.
Julark runs out across the rocky sand towards Noria's body and lets loose a roar. "How could this happen!" He sobs over Noria for about ten minutes before he finally regains his composure. Julark rummages through Noria's pack and brings forth a vial. He then removes a similar pile from his own pack. Walking back to Gulin Runehammer and Khelnes Bahlnurath, Julark exclaims to the Triton, "I do not know who you are, but if it wasn't for you Gulin and I may have shared Noria's fate." "Gulin, your own contributions should neither be overlooked nor underestimated, you are a formidable warrior. I wish I had more to reward the two of you with, but please take these potions. We often use them in the mines when we must traverse difficult walls or chasms." Julark's arms stretch out to give both of you a Potion of Climbing, from the outside there appears to be three solid bands of stone contained within colored brown, silver, and grey.
Khelnes Bahlnurath:
Looking at the corpse of the Peryton you are reminded of winters past when you were able to turn a pretty coin by providing the hides and treated skins of various beasts to a Saltmarsh merchant named Kiorna Kester. She runs a tannery just west of the Kingfisher River within the village and is always on the lookout for the hides of exotic creatures. The creature will have to be preserved in top condition before it is transported and presented to the merchant.
If you would like to attempt prepare the Peryton for potential sale, preserving the creature will take roughly an hour and will require either a Sleight of Hand or Survival Check.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Interspersing Gulin's actions with Steve's post above.
As the Peryton falls, Gulin lets out a sigh of relief, still breathing heavily and holding his hammer tightly in one hand, eyes intense. As Julark rushes out the cavern towards Noria, he lets out a sharp whistle, moving out of the cave and looking skyward. He spots his quarry, a two-foot long bird-of-prey with reddish brown feathers on its body, a white crown, and a four-foot wingspan with feathers consisting of alternating bright white and black colors. The bird, a red kite, flies in low from the shoreline, landing on his outstretched arm.
"One mile circle. Keep an eye for any other threats, my friend, and return if you see anything. Now go!" Gulin flicks his arm upward, and the bird takes flight.
Avalloc Perception: 20
He walks to Julark, mourning the prone body of Noria, and puts a hand on the dwarf's shoulder. "I'm sorry. She was a good person." He stands there a moment in solidarity with Julark, thinking of the stories they'd shared over an ale in the travelers' cabin aboard the ship, before going back to the beachhead. He gathers the bodies of those he can, laying them neatly side-to-side, though not venturing deep into the water. Any seagulls or other vermin that attempt to make a meal off the corpses is met with a firebolt. After about ten minutes, he returns to Julark.
"Thank you for the potion, Julark. I'm just glad some of us were able to survive." He takes a look at the Triton, with an assessing eye. "And thank you as well. Apologies for bringing battle to your doorstep, but that final spell of yours was just the trick we needed. I am Gulin, of the Runehammer clan. And you are?"
Will interact with the new dwarves after introductions with Khelnes. Also, I can help Khelnes prepare the beast with an Arcana or Nature check (to point out things that might be weird on a monstrosity), if the DM allows.
(A second person could assist with preparing the Peryton corpse. If that happens the Sleight of Hand or Survival roll can be made with advantage.)
Gulin Runehammer:
Avalloc takes flight, gracefully circling around the and using the warm air currents to gain further and further altitude. From the beach Avalloc can now barely be seen overhead. From his (or her?) vantage point Avalloc can see roughly thirty miles in any direction. As Avalloc looks west the rolling hills turn into steep cliffs. Barely within Avalloc's sight to the west lies a large house perched on-top of the cliff.
Closer in, Avalloc clearly makes out sailors running amok across the deck of the White Breaker to your direct south. With their rowboats scattered across the shore, the White Breaker appears to be attempting to slowly close the distance to shore to enable the sailors to more easily retrieve the two dinghys.
About 1800 feet to your North lies the Copperlock mines. While near the beach the terrain slowly rises from the sea, the mines are placed at the base of a much more abrupt incline of glistening white rock. The dwarves have constructed a semicircle stone wall to encompass their mine. Two guard towers overlook the main gate, while three other towers are spaced evenly around the semi-circle perimeter. The inner area contains a small village. At the northern back-end of the mines lies a broad shaft dug into a stepp hillside. Avalloc is able to make out a group of knights mounting horses within the Copperlock complex.
Down at the beach you gather up the bodies. You haven't yet conducted a thorough search of the bodies, but it appears that the dead dwarves and sailors were not carrying much. There a few sets of badly shredded leather armor, some short swords, war picks, and light crossbows. Each of the dwarves had a small backup, though none seem comparable to the larger packs carried by Noria and Julark
Caspia bends down to examine the wreckage, sifting through to search for any additional clues to the wreck. She scans the horizon search for additional wreckage, survivors, anything that might to the ship's fate.
"Caspia! There is another wooden thing among the rocks near the end of the beach that I do not remember seeing the last time I was here. It is probably worth having you investigating whilst I attempt to climb the cliff to get the bloodkeep that is just a few handholds up."
If I fall we can always go be sensible and repel down the cliff to collect later. Why mess about when there's drinking to be done
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Caspia Aspergina Investigation Roll: 2
As you hold the charred plank in your hands you can pretty easily deduce that the plank would have said "Grinning Merfolk opposed to “inning Merfol” if it had not been partially destroyed. You remember that the large Galley had multiple planks along its sides etched with the ships name in this very font.
Out of curiosity you scratch into the plank with one of your crossbow bolts. It is evident that only the immediate surface layers of the wood were charred or burned. As your crossbow bolt digs in it reveals fresh unscathed wood under the surface. The wave of heat you felt only resulted in shallow scorch marks, therefore, this particular plank of wood was not exposed to whatever you experienced for a prolonged time.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Angus McTavin Athletics Roll: 15 Fail!
Angus McTavin and Caspia Aspergina:
Angus McTavin confidently approaches the cliff wall. He gingerly places his fingers into some of the small hand-holds he spotted earlier, and begins to quickly climb towards the ledge 15 feet above him. Angus ascends, always deftly locating another spot to place his hands and feet. As he reaches the rim with the bloodkeep Angus graspes a pair of the stalks with both hands. He then attempts to use the stalks to support pulling his body weight the final few feet up the cliff and onto the ledge. However, the bloodkeep roots do not hold purchase in shallow layer of soil along the soft damp cliff-walls. In an instant, Angus is falling back to the beach. His hands remain clenched on two separate bloodkeep plants, the force of his fall ripping an entire five foot section of the small shrubs down along with him. Angus may wake up bruised tomorrow morning, but at least there is enough bloodkeep laying scattered around the beach and on top of his person to harvest sufficient stalks for Ferrin Kastilar.
Khelnes walks up to the corpse of the Peryton and eyes it for a moment. He then picks up a feather from it and puts it in his satchel. He says to Julark,
"I could not witness any more harm be committed by that monster. I am sorry for not helping out sooner."
Looking towards Gulin, Khelnes says,
"You do not look like those who are from around here. I am Khelnes. I used to live in the sea but was run out of my home by a dragon turtle. Could you help me skin this Peryton? I know of a few people who would pay good coin for this."
"Pleased to meet you, Khelnes. Aye, despite how much I want to crush this thing to dust for what it did, we might as well see if its parts can be of use to others." He then spends a few minutes examining the creature, prodding at it with a small knife and pointing out some less-than-natural musculature on the fallen monstrosity that they should cut around when skinning it.
Help action. Advantage for your survival check!
Shortly thereafter, the red kite dives from its high altitude position, fluttering around Gulin for a moment. Gulin raises his arm for the bird to land on without missing a beat, what appears to be a habitual movement. It fluffs up its feathers and makes a slight cooing noise. "Aye, thank you. You can go hunting again. Any seagull or crab that is looking at one of our fallen friends is double points, yeah?" With a quick shriek, the bird launches off again.
Gulin turns to Khelnes and Julark. "Think we may have company soon. Riders from the mine."
Just FYI, skinning the monster will take an hour. The two of you could either remain on the beach to do that, or try to see if the miners would let you bring it into your compound.
(The below section appeared above but was moved here for continuity. I will continue to move this section lower depending on how much you guys want to talk before the cavalry arrives)
Gulin Runehammer and Khelnes Bahlnurath:
You hear the sounds of horses in the distance. "Now that must be the cavalry finally arriving," Julark remarks. About a dozen Keoland knights arrive. In their midst is two dwarves, Gulin recognizes one of them, a younger dwarven woman with long dark hair partially obscuring a face tattoo, as part of the contingent with whom he traveled.
"What happened here Julark? We had just made it to the mine encampment when the alarm was sounded, it was hard to make out what exactly was going on from the towers. Oh no! Noria!" The woman quickly dismounts her horse, and begins to examine Noria's dead body. Julark begins to regale the Keoland knights and the two Dwarves with the tale of you defeating the Peryton and saving his life.
The second dwarf finally speaks, "I am Verdun, Manistrad is my distance cousin who governs our clan. While she spends her days in Saltmarsh, I serve as her eyes and ears at the mines. Please return with us to the mines. The Copperlocks will provide the two of you with a proper reward for saving our kinsman, and our fortifications contain bunks where you can rest and recover."
Verdun motions towards one of the Keoland knights, "get word to the ship, they are likely wondering what happened to their crew and will want to recover their rowboats. Try to see if they will anchor here for the night, we will need to send a message to Saltmarsh in the morning and I would rather not risk another life delivering the message overland." You watch as one of the knights with a large banner gallops down to the shore and begins to signal towards the White Breaker.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"We might need to see about finishing this task later, Khelnes."
As the party of cavalry and the two additional dwarves make their way to the beach, Gulin turns his attention to Verdun, allowing him to finish his introduction.
"Thank you, Verdun. After that battle, some rest would be good. Also, do you have a pair of wagons at the mines?" He looks to the lined up corpses, somberly, then gestures towards the corpse of the Peryton. "I think it would be more dignified if we can bring our fallen friends back via a wagon, and possibly boost the morale of the miners to show them that this great threat to their safety is dead and done. If we can utilize a space to work on the creature after, I believe we can get a good section of hide and possibly some alchemical ingredients from it, especially if we have a cleaner workplace than the beach."
Khelnes furious that the Peryton is still alive, squints towards the bird. He begins to run a few feet out of the cave and casts another Eldritch Blast toward the bird.
Cast: Eldritch Blast
Attack: 11
Damage: 2
Gulin Runehammer and Khelnes Bahlnurath:
The fire-bolt and eldritch blast are sent forth from your hands at the same moment. Both were fired hasty in an effort to save Noria and arc right over the Peryton's head. Julark mutters loudly, "by Moradin make your spells count!" He fits another bolt into the crossbow, and loosens it in the direction of the beast.
Noria Death Saving Throw: 4
Julark (Miner 2) Attack Roll: 22 Damage Roll: 3
DM for Out of the Abyss | Edvord Reinholdt for Killilli's Waterdeep Dragon Heist | Sergeant Cernan for Viper's Descent
Gulin Runehammer and Khelnes Bahlnurath:
Peryton Rolls: Hidden
Julark's crossbow bolt also misses the mark as the Peryton's gore's Noria's heart out. As the Peryton eats Noria's heart you notice the shadow of the beast change from a humanoid shape to reflect the Peryton's true form.
Unsatiated by it's most recent kill, the Peryton lets loose a shriek and dives towards Julark. It's claws rip Julark's armor, slashing through his layers of protection, and wounding his soft flesh. The Peryton is now in the mouth of the cave, next to the three of you! Blood is flowing freely from the gaping hopes that have been slashed through Julark's armor as it barely hangs against his skin. "We've got to put this down or we are done for!" Julark yells back to the two of you.
You worriedly glance back into the cave. You see a small locked box alongside a fire pit and a makeshift bed. The cave only goes back about 40 feet before its mossy ceiling curves down towards the ground. There is nowhere left to run!
DM for Out of the Abyss | Edvord Reinholdt for Killilli's Waterdeep Dragon Heist | Sergeant Cernan for Viper's Descent
Angus McTavin Perception Roll: 15
Caspia Aspergina Perception Roll: 10
Angus McTavin and Caspia Aspergina:
You easily spot the green and red stalks of the bloodkeep along the cliff walls. The lowest patch seems to be about 15 feet off the ground on a small ledge. Around this section the rock wall is almost entirely sheer until it reaches the ledge with bloodkeep. You do spot a few small hand holds which you could attempt to use to climb up towards the ledge, but it may be dangerous.
Angust McTavin:
As your eyes wander back towards the coast you notice a wooden object washed ashore about 100 feet away among the smaller boulders where the beach narrows against the cliffs. You don't remember seeing this object last time you were on the beach, but you haven't returned since the night you rescued Caspia.
DM for Out of the Abyss | Edvord Reinholdt for Killilli's Waterdeep Dragon Heist | Sergeant Cernan for Viper's Descent
With nowhere to go and no other option, Gulin hefts his hammer, infusing it with some magical energy before bringing down an overhead two-handed strike at the Peryton.
Booming Blade. Attack: 14 Damage: 8 . Extra Damage: 4 on movement.
After the glancing blow, the hammer slams down into the floor of the cave, a burst of thunder energy reverberating through the cavern and sending loose sand flying.
Gulin holds the haft of his hammer defensively, risking an attack as he backs up out of the creature's limited range.
Aldrik Reinholdt in Dragon Heist
Daventry in The Candlekeep Mysteries, and her bag
Gulin Runehammer and Khelnes Bahlnurath:
A weak swing from Gulin's hammer gently clips the Peryton's wing. As Gulin backs away from the creature, the Peryton clumsily lashes out with its feet towards Gulin, his outstretched hammer deftly deflects the blow. The Peryton's feathers begin to stand on end as the static electricity builds around the monster.
DM for Out of the Abyss | Edvord Reinholdt for Killilli's Waterdeep Dragon Heist | Sergeant Cernan for Viper's Descent
Khelnes sees Gulin deflect the blow. He thinks to himself that this man must not be part of the mining group since he is adept in combat. Khelnes casts a Sacred Flame at the Peryton, hoping that it will demoralize it.
Cast: Sacred Flame
Gulin Runehammer and Khelnes Bahlnurath:
Peryton Rolls: Hidden
Khelnes Bahlnurath Sacred Flame Damage: 9
A pillar of fire and light descends from the mouth of the cavern ceiling, engulfing the Peryton. The Peryton let's loose one final squawk as its feathers are pealed away by the divine radiance. It collapses at the cavern's opening, finally unmoving.
Julark runs out across the rocky sand towards Noria's body and lets loose a roar. "How could this happen!" He sobs over Noria for about ten minutes before he finally regains his composure. Julark rummages through Noria's pack and brings forth a vial. He then removes a similar pile from his own pack. Walking back to Gulin Runehammer and Khelnes Bahlnurath, Julark exclaims to the Triton, "I do not know who you are, but if it wasn't for you Gulin and I may have shared Noria's fate." "Gulin, your own contributions should neither be overlooked nor underestimated, you are a formidable warrior. I wish I had more to reward the two of you with, but please take these potions. We often use them in the mines when we must traverse difficult walls or chasms." Julark's arms stretch out to give both of you a Potion of Climbing, from the outside there appears to be three solid bands of stone contained within colored brown, silver, and grey.
Khelnes Bahlnurath:
Looking at the corpse of the Peryton you are reminded of winters past when you were able to turn a pretty coin by providing the hides and treated skins of various beasts to a Saltmarsh merchant named Kiorna Kester. She runs a tannery just west of the Kingfisher River within the village and is always on the lookout for the hides of exotic creatures. The creature will have to be preserved in top condition before it is transported and presented to the merchant.
If you would like to attempt prepare the Peryton for potential sale, preserving the creature will take roughly an hour and will require either a Sleight of Hand or Survival Check.
DM for Out of the Abyss | Edvord Reinholdt for Killilli's Waterdeep Dragon Heist | Sergeant Cernan for Viper's Descent
Interspersing Gulin's actions with Steve's post above.
As the Peryton falls, Gulin lets out a sigh of relief, still breathing heavily and holding his hammer tightly in one hand, eyes intense. As Julark rushes out the cavern towards Noria, he lets out a sharp whistle, moving out of the cave and looking skyward. He spots his quarry, a two-foot long bird-of-prey with reddish brown feathers on its body, a white crown, and a four-foot wingspan with feathers consisting of alternating bright white and black colors. The bird, a red kite, flies in low from the shoreline, landing on his outstretched arm.
"One mile circle. Keep an eye for any other threats, my friend, and return if you see anything. Now go!" Gulin flicks his arm upward, and the bird takes flight.
Avalloc Perception: 20
He walks to Julark, mourning the prone body of Noria, and puts a hand on the dwarf's shoulder. "I'm sorry. She was a good person." He stands there a moment in solidarity with Julark, thinking of the stories they'd shared over an ale in the travelers' cabin aboard the ship, before going back to the beachhead. He gathers the bodies of those he can, laying them neatly side-to-side, though not venturing deep into the water. Any seagulls or other vermin that attempt to make a meal off the corpses is met with a firebolt. After about ten minutes, he returns to Julark.
"Thank you for the potion, Julark. I'm just glad some of us were able to survive." He takes a look at the Triton, with an assessing eye. "And thank you as well. Apologies for bringing battle to your doorstep, but that final spell of yours was just the trick we needed. I am Gulin, of the Runehammer clan. And you are?"
Will interact with the new dwarves after introductions with Khelnes. Also, I can help Khelnes prepare the beast with an Arcana or Nature check (to point out things that might be weird on a monstrosity), if the DM allows.
Aldrik Reinholdt in Dragon Heist
Daventry in The Candlekeep Mysteries, and her bag
(A second person could assist with preparing the Peryton corpse. If that happens the Sleight of Hand or Survival roll can be made with advantage.)
Gulin Runehammer:
Avalloc takes flight, gracefully circling around the and using the warm air currents to gain further and further altitude. From the beach Avalloc can now barely be seen overhead. From his (or her?) vantage point Avalloc can see roughly thirty miles in any direction. As Avalloc looks west the rolling hills turn into steep cliffs. Barely within Avalloc's sight to the west lies a large house perched on-top of the cliff.
Closer in, Avalloc clearly makes out sailors running amok across the deck of the White Breaker to your direct south. With their rowboats scattered across the shore, the White Breaker appears to be attempting to slowly close the distance to shore to enable the sailors to more easily retrieve the two dinghys.
About 1800 feet to your North lies the Copperlock mines. While near the beach the terrain slowly rises from the sea, the mines are placed at the base of a much more abrupt incline of glistening white rock. The dwarves have constructed a semicircle stone wall to encompass their mine. Two guard towers overlook the main gate, while three other towers are spaced evenly around the semi-circle perimeter. The inner area contains a small village. At the northern back-end of the mines lies a broad shaft dug into a stepp hillside. Avalloc is able to make out a group of knights mounting horses within the Copperlock complex.
Down at the beach you gather up the bodies. You haven't yet conducted a thorough search of the bodies, but it appears that the dead dwarves and sailors were not carrying much. There a few sets of badly shredded leather armor, some short swords, war picks, and light crossbows. Each of the dwarves had a small backup, though none seem comparable to the larger packs carried by Noria and Julark
DM for Out of the Abyss | Edvord Reinholdt for Killilli's Waterdeep Dragon Heist | Sergeant Cernan for Viper's Descent
Caspia bends down to examine the wreckage, sifting through to search for any additional clues to the wreck. She scans the horizon search for additional wreckage, survivors, anything that might to the ship's fate.
Steve, investigation roll, I assume?
"Caspia! There is another wooden thing among the rocks near the end of the beach that I do not remember seeing the last time I was here. It is probably worth having you investigating whilst I attempt to climb the cliff to get the bloodkeep that is just a few handholds up."
If I fall we can always go be sensible and repel down the cliff to collect later. Why mess about when there's drinking to be done
Steve care to do me an athletics roll?
Caspia Aspergina Investigation Roll: 2
As you hold the charred plank in your hands you can pretty easily deduce that the plank would have said "Grinning Merfolk opposed to “inning Merfol” if it had not been partially destroyed. You remember that the large Galley had multiple planks along its sides etched with the ships name in this very font.
Out of curiosity you scratch into the plank with one of your crossbow bolts. It is evident that only the immediate surface layers of the wood were charred or burned. As your crossbow bolt digs in it reveals fresh unscathed wood under the surface. The wave of heat you felt only resulted in shallow scorch marks, therefore, this particular plank of wood was not exposed to whatever you experienced for a prolonged time.
DM for Out of the Abyss | Edvord Reinholdt for Killilli's Waterdeep Dragon Heist | Sergeant Cernan for Viper's Descent
It seems there is nothing here to find anymore. The ocean has washed away whatever was left of the ship.
Perhaps I can find a map in town to help me decide on my next move. As a cartographer, I like to have maps of new areas to orient me.
I will wait on Dinoskool's roll in case he needs help getting the blood stuff plant.
Angus McTavin Athletics Roll: 15 Fail!
Angus McTavin and Caspia Aspergina:
Angus McTavin confidently approaches the cliff wall. He gingerly places his fingers into some of the small hand-holds he spotted earlier, and begins to quickly climb towards the ledge 15 feet above him. Angus ascends, always deftly locating another spot to place his hands and feet. As he reaches the rim with the bloodkeep Angus graspes a pair of the stalks with both hands. He then attempts to use the stalks to support pulling his body weight the final few feet up the cliff and onto the ledge. However, the bloodkeep roots do not hold purchase in shallow layer of soil along the soft damp cliff-walls. In an instant, Angus is falling back to the beach. His hands remain clenched on two separate bloodkeep plants, the force of his fall ripping an entire five foot section of the small shrubs down along with him. Angus may wake up bruised tomorrow morning, but at least there is enough bloodkeep laying scattered around the beach and on top of his person to harvest sufficient stalks for Ferrin Kastilar.
Angus Bludgeoning Damage Received: 6
DM for Out of the Abyss | Edvord Reinholdt for Killilli's Waterdeep Dragon Heist | Sergeant Cernan for Viper's Descent
Khelnes walks up to the corpse of the Peryton and eyes it for a moment. He then picks up a feather from it and puts it in his satchel. He says to Julark,
"I could not witness any more harm be committed by that monster. I am sorry for not helping out sooner."
Looking towards Gulin, Khelnes says,
"You do not look like those who are from around here. I am Khelnes. I used to live in the sea but was run out of my home by a dragon turtle. Could you help me skin this Peryton? I know of a few people who would pay good coin for this."
"Pleased to meet you, Khelnes. Aye, despite how much I want to crush this thing to dust for what it did, we might as well see if its parts can be of use to others." He then spends a few minutes examining the creature, prodding at it with a small knife and pointing out some less-than-natural musculature on the fallen monstrosity that they should cut around when skinning it.
Help action. Advantage for your survival check!
Shortly thereafter, the red kite dives from its high altitude position, fluttering around Gulin for a moment. Gulin raises his arm for the bird to land on without missing a beat, what appears to be a habitual movement. It fluffs up its feathers and makes a slight cooing noise. "Aye, thank you. You can go hunting again. Any seagull or crab that is looking at one of our fallen friends is double points, yeah?" With a quick shriek, the bird launches off again.
Gulin turns to Khelnes and Julark. "Think we may have company soon. Riders from the mine."
Aldrik Reinholdt in Dragon Heist
Daventry in The Candlekeep Mysteries, and her bag
Just FYI, skinning the monster will take an hour. The two of you could either remain on the beach to do that, or try to see if the miners would let you bring it into your compound.
(The below section appeared above but was moved here for continuity. I will continue to move this section lower depending on how much you guys want to talk before the cavalry arrives)
Gulin Runehammer and Khelnes Bahlnurath:
You hear the sounds of horses in the distance. "Now that must be the cavalry finally arriving," Julark remarks. About a dozen Keoland knights arrive. In their midst is two dwarves, Gulin recognizes one of them, a younger dwarven woman with long dark hair partially obscuring a face tattoo, as part of the contingent with whom he traveled.
"What happened here Julark? We had just made it to the mine encampment when the alarm was sounded, it was hard to make out what exactly was going on from the towers. Oh no! Noria!" The woman quickly dismounts her horse, and begins to examine Noria's dead body. Julark begins to regale the Keoland knights and the two Dwarves with the tale of you defeating the Peryton and saving his life.
The second dwarf finally speaks, "I am Verdun, Manistrad is my distance cousin who governs our clan. While she spends her days in Saltmarsh, I serve as her eyes and ears at the mines. Please return with us to the mines. The Copperlocks will provide the two of you with a proper reward for saving our kinsman, and our fortifications contain bunks where you can rest and recover."
Verdun motions towards one of the Keoland knights, "get word to the ship, they are likely wondering what happened to their crew and will want to recover their rowboats. Try to see if they will anchor here for the night, we will need to send a message to Saltmarsh in the morning and I would rather not risk another life delivering the message overland." You watch as one of the knights with a large banner gallops down to the shore and begins to signal towards the White Breaker.
DM for Out of the Abyss | Edvord Reinholdt for Killilli's Waterdeep Dragon Heist | Sergeant Cernan for Viper's Descent
"We might need to see about finishing this task later, Khelnes."
As the party of cavalry and the two additional dwarves make their way to the beach, Gulin turns his attention to Verdun, allowing him to finish his introduction.
"Thank you, Verdun. After that battle, some rest would be good. Also, do you have a pair of wagons at the mines?" He looks to the lined up corpses, somberly, then gestures towards the corpse of the Peryton. "I think it would be more dignified if we can bring our fallen friends back via a wagon, and possibly boost the morale of the miners to show them that this great threat to their safety is dead and done. If we can utilize a space to work on the creature after, I believe we can get a good section of hide and possibly some alchemical ingredients from it, especially if we have a cleaner workplace than the beach."
Persuasion (if needed) 12
Aldrik Reinholdt in Dragon Heist
Daventry in The Candlekeep Mysteries, and her bag
"******* plants... and this was the easy one." Angus grumbles to himself as he rubs his bruised ass.
He gathers up the plants into his backpack, before looking for Caspia (I don't see any mention of her moving from the first piece of wood?).
"Come Caspia, let's go check out this other debris I saw."
Steve perception/investigation roll? Don't know if the wood needs refinding or an investigation roll is needed as the debris won't have washed away.