After seeing to his comrades minor abrasions and burns to make them as comfortable as possible, Ivan joins Nyli at the door. He adds to her polite knocking with his more forceful banging on the door. The sounds of his gauntled fist reverberating off the door. He shouts, "The dirty dog be down! Open up ye blasted gnome, less we be knocking your door down."
Ivan pauses in his attack upon the door. He turns to face his diminutive companion, a look of incredulous disbelieve on his face. He bites back a sharper remark; but says through gritted teeth, "The blasted gnome came out during the battle and saw us beset. Did he lend us aid beset as we were on his very doorstep?! Nay! He fled back within and verily slammed the door in our faces! Leaving us to put down the beast!"
"Pff... Did not see it. Besides, not everyone is a fighter, you know. That is why they hire us. Do you yell like this at every commoner you meet? Let's first talk to the guy, if he is not dead yet from heart attack after your threats."
The door opens up again and the gnome comes back out.
"Is....is it gone? What was that thing? Oh, forgive me, where are my manners. My name is Grundy, and this is the Saltmarsh Manor. Lord Gideon is not home currently, but he is expected shortly. He would want me to invite you to dinner."
Ivan harrumphs at Nyli's rebuke; but his face brightens at mention of dinner. He says with a smile upon his face, "Dinner, you say? Say on. Say on, friend Grundy!" Ivan hastily follows Grundy and Nyli into the manor. Ivan sniffing the air like a hound himself, to tell the tale of what be on the menu for this strange evening.
You walk through the door into a large hall that is impressively decorated, though it is also rather dirty. Paneled walls rise to meet a tall, vaulted ceiling with a number of lofty recessed windows. A great hearth dominates one end of the room, while the remaining walls are decorated with tapestries, portraits of varying sizes, mounted trophies, armor and weapons.
Grundy ushers you through the hall into another room that speaks of comfort and opulence. The interior walls are plastered with a light stucco, carved in a most elaborate and magnificent fashion. Atop the clean flagstones lies a richly decorated rug, closely and beautifully woven. The center of the room is dominated by a long dining table, made of dark polished wood and set with gleaming silverware.
The room is well lit by a roaring fire in the hearth at the northern end, and a row of blazing candelabra suspended from the ceiling. A rich feast is laid out on the table that includes such delights as cod liver pastries, beef marrow fritters, salt water fish, eel puree, bacon broth and roast beef. Grundy goes about the task of pulling out a chair for each of you to sit in and then excusing himself, leaves for a moment only to return with water, several wines, ales, and a small cask of dwarven mead. He asks for your preference as he brings out some glasses and mugs.
Nyli was looking around with tempered curiosity, as if all those decaying riches were a common sight to her. She sat down at the table with the look "since we are here anyway, we can as well eat something". She asked for the warm wine - the best thing at this weather and after such duress - and and helped herself with the meat and bread (something she considered safe enough).
Jelbys, sits at the table. Before the various brews come out she takes her weapons (a longsword and a light crossbow) and places them on the table with no regard to cleanliness. Her shield is placed on the ground to her side, leaning against her chair. She taps her finger slowly as she waits for Grundy to return.
Her mood picks up a bit after seeing the drinks come out, warmed by the hospitality, and asks if they have any tea.
Ivan takes a seat at the table. As Grundy brings out the spirits Ivan's eyes land upon the cask of dwarven mead. He cries out excitedly, "Dwarven mead, if you please!" Ivan reaches for a plate of pastries.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Arc is nervous and stands, at once amazed at the surroundings and sumptuous extravagance laid before them and untrusting the strangeness of the land and the bazaar path that has lead them there. He desperately wants to sit down, take a long rest and enjoy the meal set before them but remains stolid, standing in the entry way and watching for any sign of danger as the others begin eating: 14
Grundy serves everyone their beverage of choice, going to the kitchen and bringing back tea for Jelbys, sitting it in front of her. "Please, please, eat and drink as much as you like. Guests are always welcome at SaltMarsh Manor."
NetherArc: You don't sense any danger with anything going on before you, Grundy seems very caring and friendly.
As you are eating and drinking, Grundy suddenly looks up and heads towards the front door, "The master is home now, I'll let him know you are here!" You hear the door open and close and Grundy comes back in with a tall thin bald man wearing a cloak and brandishing a large ornate staff and a friendly smile. "Folks, we can begin introductions now, this is the master of the manor, Lord Gideon Saltmarsh."
Gideon smiles and greets each one of you, "Gideon Saltmarsh, welcome to my humble home. What brings you to these parts?"
"Nyli Ironhide," introduced herself the gnome, once again regretting she did not bought that glasses - she would look so much more impressive! Oh, well. "And these are Jelbys, NetherArc and Ivan Bloodanvil."
"We are investigating strange disappearance of people around. Got carried away a bit, lost track of time and when we saw your welcoming light, dared to asked for your hospitality before setting the camp in that swamp outside people call land, for some reason. Imagine our surprise when we were greeted by a hellhound, no less. Fortunately, we managed to dispatch it."
Arc decides things are not dangerous and partakes of the feast. When Lord Gideon Saltmarsh arrives and asks about them he listens to Nyli then says "NetherArc here sire, we can see why people are getting lost in these parts. It would appear there are strange goings on. Can you help us understand how we lost our way? We would also be interested to know if you have seen others who has lost their way in these parts?"
Ivan stands as Grundy introduces Lord Gideon. Ivan wipes his hands off on his breeches and extends his hand during the introduction. As he enthusiastically pumps Lord Gideon's hand Ivan says, "Fine table ye have set out, your lordship. It be much appreciated by a worn traveler such as meself! And Dwarven spirits to boot as well. It be much appreciated indeed!" His introduction completed, Ivan sits back down to his meal with a hearty belch and reaches for the roast beef. His companions notice him humming a dwarven drinking song under his breath in his joyous exuberance.
Gideon listens to each of you in turn before responding, his face showing surprise at the mention of a hell hound, "A hell hound you say? I knew i had seen a few wild dogs running around, but I had no idea they were more than they seemed. As for lost travelers... we receive them all the time and feed them and allow them to stay if they chose to do so. This stretch of road has long been nasty due to the weather, but it's worse as of late for some reason. I fear some creature might have cursed my little stretch of land if things don't clear up."
At that, Gideon pours himself a glass of the dwarven mead and raises it in silent toast to Ivan, "I have much admiration for your peoples fine beverages, good dwarf, where do you hail from? How is your family? Are they also adventurers or do they work in a trade?"
At this line of questioning, Ivan becomes somewhat somber. He looks about at the grandeur of his environment. He pulls the hood of his cloak up to cover his anguish. Finally he says, "I be an orphan me lord. I was raised by the faithful of Tyr in Neverwinter. I was found as a wee lad on the High Road tween Neverwinter and Waterdeep. As best the priests could tell me, me kin were a small family of merchants and tinkerers plying their trade in human settlements. They were part of a caravan that was beset upon by gnolls out of the Sword Mountains. I was found in the wreckage by travelling adventurers and taken to the Hall of Justice. There I was raised and educated. The priests were good folks; but Tyr was not to be me calling. Moradin called to me in me heart. The priests were content to see me called to a faith, even though it be not their own. When I came of age they outfitted me as one of their own and I departed to spread the teaching of Moradin and see the world. That be three years agone now. I have travelled far, spoken often of the wonders of Moradin, and delivered Dwarven justice to many enemies of me people. I have found stalwart companions to aid me in me travels." His piece said, he pulls bavk the hood of his cloak once more, salutes his fair companions with his mug, and downs it with one draft.
Aha, the man had a weak spot for dwarves. Strange choice but Nyli did not judge. "They are alive and well, and live very far from here, thank you. But as much as each of us love to discuss our heritage, can we return to those missing people for a moment? Could you name a few? Just to know they are who we are looking for. And what makes you think of a curse? Unnatural creatures? Unchanging weather? When did it all began?
(I suppose we were told who was missing, who we are looking for, right? Also, approximate date when disappearance become troublesome. Nyli wants to know if it matches with Gideon's story)
After seeing to his comrades minor abrasions and burns to make them as comfortable as possible, Ivan joins Nyli at the door. He adds to her polite knocking with his more forceful banging on the door. The sounds of his gauntled fist reverberating off the door. He shouts, "The dirty dog be down! Open up ye blasted gnome, less we be knocking your door down."
Nily gave Ivan a stern look, but did not comment on generalization. Instead she asked: "And how do you know that house belongs to a gnome?"
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Ivan pauses in his attack upon the door. He turns to face his diminutive companion, a look of incredulous disbelieve on his face. He bites back a sharper remark; but says through gritted teeth, "The blasted gnome came out during the battle and saw us beset. Did he lend us aid beset as we were on his very doorstep?! Nay! He fled back within and verily slammed the door in our faces! Leaving us to put down the beast!"
"Pff... Did not see it. Besides, not everyone is a fighter, you know. That is why they hire us. Do you yell like this at every commoner you meet? Let's first talk to the guy, if he is not dead yet from heart attack after your threats."
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
The door opens up again and the gnome comes back out.
"Is....is it gone? What was that thing? Oh, forgive me, where are my manners. My name is Grundy, and this is the Saltmarsh Manor. Lord Gideon is not home currently, but he is expected shortly. He would want me to invite you to dinner."
"See? Manners!" Nyli was first to enter the house. The idea that it can be a trap did not even cross her mind.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Ivan harrumphs at Nyli's rebuke; but his face brightens at mention of dinner. He says with a smile upon his face, "Dinner, you say? Say on. Say on, friend Grundy!" Ivan hastily follows Grundy and Nyli into the manor. Ivan sniffing the air like a hound himself, to tell the tale of what be on the menu for this strange evening.
You walk through the door into a large hall that is impressively decorated, though it is also rather dirty. Paneled walls rise to meet a tall, vaulted ceiling with a number of lofty recessed windows. A great hearth dominates one end of the room, while the remaining walls are decorated with tapestries, portraits of varying sizes, mounted trophies, armor and weapons.
Grundy ushers you through the hall into another room that speaks of comfort and opulence. The interior walls are plastered with a light stucco, carved in a most elaborate and magnificent fashion. Atop the clean flagstones lies a richly decorated rug, closely and beautifully woven. The center of the room is dominated by a long dining table, made of dark polished wood and set with gleaming silverware.
The room is well lit by a roaring fire in the hearth at the northern end, and a row of blazing candelabra suspended from the ceiling. A rich feast is laid out on the table that includes such delights as cod liver pastries, beef marrow fritters, salt water fish, eel puree, bacon broth and roast beef. Grundy goes about the task of pulling out a chair for each of you to sit in and then excusing himself, leaves for a moment only to return with water, several wines, ales, and a small cask of dwarven mead. He asks for your preference as he brings out some glasses and mugs.
Nyli was looking around with tempered curiosity, as if all those decaying riches were a common sight to her. She sat down at the table with the look "since we are here anyway, we can as well eat something". She asked for the warm wine - the best thing at this weather and after such duress - and and helped herself with the meat and bread (something she considered safe enough).
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Jelbys, sits at the table. Before the various brews come out she takes her weapons (a longsword and a light crossbow) and places them on the table with no regard to cleanliness. Her shield is placed on the ground to her side, leaning against her chair. She taps her finger slowly as she waits for Grundy to return.
Her mood picks up a bit after seeing the drinks come out, warmed by the hospitality, and asks if they have any tea.
Ivan takes a seat at the table. As Grundy brings out the spirits Ivan's eyes land upon the cask of dwarven mead. He cries out excitedly, "Dwarven mead, if you please!" Ivan reaches for a plate of pastries.
Arc is nervous and stands, at once amazed at the surroundings and sumptuous extravagance laid before them and untrusting the strangeness of the land and the bazaar path that has lead them there. He desperately wants to sit down, take a long rest and enjoy the meal set before them but remains stolid, standing in the entry way and watching for any sign of danger as the others begin eating: 14
Lot's of stuff ...
Grundy serves everyone their beverage of choice, going to the kitchen and bringing back tea for Jelbys, sitting it in front of her. "Please, please, eat and drink as much as you like. Guests are always welcome at SaltMarsh Manor."
NetherArc: You don't sense any danger with anything going on before you, Grundy seems very caring and friendly.
As you are eating and drinking, Grundy suddenly looks up and heads towards the front door, "The master is home now, I'll let him know you are here!" You hear the door open and close and Grundy comes back in with a tall thin bald man wearing a cloak and brandishing a large ornate staff and a friendly smile. "Folks, we can begin introductions now, this is the master of the manor, Lord Gideon Saltmarsh."
Gideon smiles and greets each one of you, "Gideon Saltmarsh, welcome to my humble home. What brings you to these parts?"
"Nyli Ironhide," introduced herself the gnome, once again regretting she did not bought that glasses - she would look so much more impressive! Oh, well. "And these are Jelbys, NetherArc and Ivan Bloodanvil."
"We are investigating strange disappearance of people around. Got carried away a bit, lost track of time and when we saw your welcoming light, dared to asked for your hospitality before setting the camp in that swamp outside people call land, for some reason. Imagine our surprise when we were greeted by a hellhound, no less. Fortunately, we managed to dispatch it."
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Arc decides things are not dangerous and partakes of the feast. When Lord Gideon Saltmarsh arrives and asks about them he listens to Nyli then says "NetherArc here sire, we can see why people are getting lost in these parts. It would appear there are strange goings on. Can you help us understand how we lost our way? We would also be interested to know if you have seen others who has lost their way in these parts?"
Lot's of stuff ...
Ivan stands as Grundy introduces Lord Gideon. Ivan wipes his hands off on his breeches and extends his hand during the introduction. As he enthusiastically pumps Lord Gideon's hand Ivan says, "Fine table ye have set out, your lordship. It be much appreciated by a worn traveler such as meself! And Dwarven spirits to boot as well. It be much appreciated indeed!" His introduction completed, Ivan sits back down to his meal with a hearty belch and reaches for the roast beef. His companions notice him humming a dwarven drinking song under his breath in his joyous exuberance.
Gideon listens to each of you in turn before responding, his face showing surprise at the mention of a hell hound, "A hell hound you say? I knew i had seen a few wild dogs running around, but I had no idea they were more than they seemed. As for lost travelers... we receive them all the time and feed them and allow them to stay if they chose to do so. This stretch of road has long been nasty due to the weather, but it's worse as of late for some reason. I fear some creature might have cursed my little stretch of land if things don't clear up."
At that, Gideon pours himself a glass of the dwarven mead and raises it in silent toast to Ivan, "I have much admiration for your peoples fine beverages, good dwarf, where do you hail from? How is your family? Are they also adventurers or do they work in a trade?"
At this line of questioning, Ivan becomes somewhat somber. He looks about at the grandeur of his environment. He pulls the hood of his cloak up to cover his anguish. Finally he says, "I be an orphan me lord. I was raised by the faithful of Tyr in Neverwinter. I was found as a wee lad on the High Road tween Neverwinter and Waterdeep. As best the priests could tell me, me kin were a small family of merchants and tinkerers plying their trade in human settlements. They were part of a caravan that was beset upon by gnolls out of the Sword Mountains. I was found in the wreckage by travelling adventurers and taken to the Hall of Justice. There I was raised and educated. The priests were good folks; but Tyr was not to be me calling. Moradin called to me in me heart. The priests were content to see me called to a faith, even though it be not their own. When I came of age they outfitted me as one of their own and I departed to spread the teaching of Moradin and see the world. That be three years agone now. I have travelled far, spoken often of the wonders of Moradin, and delivered Dwarven justice to many enemies of me people. I have found stalwart companions to aid me in me travels." His piece said, he pulls bavk the hood of his cloak once more, salutes his fair companions with his mug, and downs it with one draft.
Ivan: Gideon gives you a sad smile, holding up his mug to toast you again, "I'm sure they are looking over you in your travels and are proud of you."
Gideon turns to the rest of you, "What of the rest of you? Where are your families? What do they do?"
Aha, the man had a weak spot for dwarves. Strange choice but Nyli did not judge. "They are alive and well, and live very far from here, thank you. But as much as each of us love to discuss our heritage, can we return to those missing people for a moment? Could you name a few? Just to know they are who we are looking for. And what makes you think of a curse? Unnatural creatures? Unchanging weather? When did it all began?
(I suppose we were told who was missing, who we are looking for, right? Also, approximate date when disappearance become troublesome. Nyli wants to know if it matches with Gideon's story)
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice