Taking great care to transport the boy, Meresaa and, begrudgingly, Ermasnietsz start to make their way towards the medical tent and Nathaniel. No sooner than they enter the Carnival a crowd starts to form; hushed excited whispers and murmurs can be heard throughout. It takes moments for Toska and a couple of Skurra - twin brothers - to dash to their aid. "Tha's Billy 'the kid'", one of the brothers says excitedly, the other sympathetically responds, "Oh Bill, wha' y'got yerself into this time?". Toska just grunts and takes the collapsed boy from Meresaa and Ermasnietsz hands. She holds Billy as though he weighed no more than a bag of sugar.
As Toska carried the boy a number of Skurra start to make a way through the crowds. A rather bewitching, young beauty dressed in a traditional Vistani dress creates a distraction by dancing away from the group; many of the crowd seem to be enchanted by her moves. Other Skurra join the dance, understanding the need for privacy.
Once inside the medical tent, Nathaniel rushed over and directs everyone to the nearest bed, the smell of alcohol is strong on his breath. Nancy appears to be asleep.
"Quick, quick, lay the lad down,"Nathaniel directs, "Procan protects!". He instantly gets to work applying all sorts of tonics to the stricken boy, he looks like he knows what he is doing. As he inspects Billy's abdomen you see his hand pass through the boy's stomach, as though it was sand. Nathaniel stumbles back in shock. "What in hells?!"he curses.
Briefly drifting into consciousness, Billy murmurs, "Essie, help Essie... Prospect."
Boyd chuckles at the guard's remark about his 'profession,' "Well, you're already better than the guards down south, just for noticing. 'Course, I don't ever talk shop with them."
He pauses and thinks about all that the sergeant has said. "So... the Weekly Wail. And where do they set up shop? Any usual hangouts for the others on this list? And Sedgewick's house, know where that is?"
Once he gets those answers, Boyd says, "Okay. Think I got all the information I need. I'll let you know what I learn. Remember, wait 5 minutes before leaving after me. And don't worry about my safety, I'm already taking care of that."
Then he departs. If he can find his other companions in town, he'll join them, otherwise he'll head back to the circus.
"Ah! Teenage love"-Ermasnietsz declares when she finds Billy repeatedly chanting the name 'Essie'. "Where have you been, boy? Where's the girl? Tell me now!
Faila is surprised when Nikita takes her hand to give it a squeeze, but it somehow files away in her mind in the same category as Nick's dramatic nap on the carpet. Faila's last memory of any affection of solidarity was with her family before they died... and that's always seemed, foggy, unreal. As if she couldn't ever reconcile it with watching them be torn to pieces by the predators that she can't escape now in her own body. She has always had to stay apart from people, afraid of what would happen. Awkward transactions, money for random jobs, usually for those desperate or from out of town, maybe some show of kindness or sympathy, was the extent of her camaraderie with people in towns. She tried very hard to live a normal life... only in the end it was her own fault that she couldn't have one, that no one could trust her. The only thing different about the people she is with now, she thinks, is that they are displaced, too. They are also alone and afraid. Is that enough? Faila doesn't know.
She reaches down and pats the prostrate gnome on the arm. Then she looks back at Dolan. "Maybe, if we are able to find out if these eggs are widespread, Manistrad should know about it."She looks at Nikita again. "We didn't look at Nancy. We should. What if she has them too? If she does, others could have them."
To Faila, Nikita would muse: "Possibly we could tell this Manistrad Copperlocks, but my instinct, knowing kings of these lands, is that notifying them is a last resort. The reaction might be heavy-handed. To drive the Carnival away as a source of disease rather than trying to help them. I do not think we should tell Copperlocks until we know more information ourselves as to the source of the disease. It almost seems targeted, not necessarily naturally spreading. I think we have a small part of Lady Isolde's first goal achieved, which is to find who is responsible. Casper Brinck. But it almost certainly goes beyond him. Let's discuss it with the group."
To Dolan, though she wants to ask about the fiddle and the scar and many other things, Nikita would probably leave well enough alone now, not wanting to presume. For communication purposes, she would try to arrange with him a hidden drop-off point accessible to her owl, Thumbtack, that she could use to send Dolan a note undetected, and to receive a note back from him in response if he were to leave one there. (OOC: Not going to try to RP that, if that's ok).
"Mr. Dolan - we will do our best for your sake and for Lady Isolde's to track this down. I may have failed at my previous job as a spy but I am determined to make up for it here. Please be aware that this has every appearance of being a bigger conspiracy. Casper Brinck, no doubt, but probably Rosie Malloy as well and others. Misfortunes befalling Charles Freyn, misfortunes befalling you and your ships. Misfortunes befalling many related to the Carnival. Very unlikely to all be a coincidence. Malloy may be used to discredit you as everyone will naturally assume what she did was with your blessing. I think you should act publicly as if you are unaware anything has changed in your understanding of the situation."
"And the disease... the... parasites appear otherworldly. Necrotic. I do not know if they are man-made, but something made them. It's entirely possible that the being behind this is not a person in the sense that we all are. Even him - " At this Nikita gestures and gives a lopsided grin, lookin over at Nick Nack on the floor. "Time to go, Mr. Nack. You haven't lost us yet. I need to go practice with the studded leather you and Faila bought me. Do I need to use Prestidigitation to clean Mr. Dolan's rug? It really ties the room together, you know?" (OOC: best I could do with a Big Lebowski reference).
Nikita waits to see if Faila has any further questions for Dolan, then politely takes leave on behalf of the three of them, going back out to look for Boyd. As far as she is thinking, the one other person she wants to talk to here is the professor that is looking for Asha Hawkes. But she would be open to checking out the Weekly Wail as well, or even going to Council Hall if Faila and the others wanted, though she would be very hesitant about that.
Sighing yet again, Meresaa realizes she's starting to develop a bit of a headache from rolling her eyes at Ermasnietsz so much. She makes a mental note to try not to do that anymore. Or to at least be conscious of who can see it...
Leaning over Nathaniel, she sees where he's looking and nods solemnly.
"We noticed that when we found him. I take it this isn't a common symptom in this world. Does Billy's affliction appear to be anything like that of Harold's? Speaking of... Where is Harold?" She stands back to her full height and looks around the tent.
Glancing back down to the healer, a question hits her. "Do you have any idea what Billy means by 'Prospect'?"
Boyd - O'Toole grins when you mention the guard 'down south'. "Spent most of my time around petty criminals, you tend to notice the small things," he explains, "may just be paranoid in my old age."
"The Weekly Wail," the sergeant begins, "you'll be able to find their offices just behind the Council Hall, near the Dwarven Anvil. As for the usual hangouts for the others? Sedgewick has a property located to the north of town, as said no one he hasn't been spotted in town for a couple of weeks. Malloy's ship, Madame X, is docked near Crabber's Cove. Brinck has property in Port Torvin, I'm not too sure where he stays when in Saltmarsh but he has been spotted travelling south on a number of occasions."
The sergeant bids you farewell and to take care, before continuing to take sips at his apple juice.
((Once the others leave they are sure to be travelling past the Dwarven Anvil. You'd have little trouble meeting them there.))
Nathaniel looks quizically at Ermasnietsz, "doubt he can hear you, seems like he's delirious."
"We tried to move Harold, but he crumbled," the aged ex-Priest explains in answer to Meresaa's questions, "turned into dust before my very eyes." He takes a deep gulp and rubs at his sweaty brow.
"Prospect?" Nathaniel says shrugging, "wait... ain't that the old Hawkes family home? Used to hold all sorts of parties and dances back in the day. Pretty sure they called it something garish like that. They died a while back, I remember taking their funeral. I think they were survived by a daughter, who lived in Port Torvin - Professor of something."
"Reckon Billy went there? Last I heard it was abandoned."
"Have a care,"Dolan warns Faila, "what do you believe the likely reaction Manistrad may have to you revealing the threat? If you heard that a foreign group had entered the area and carried with them a disease that could infect others? Isolation? Termination? She would certainly deal with the issue, but possibly not in the way you believe. Perhaps that is what Brinck wanted?"
As Nikita says her piece Dolan nods in agreement, "precisely."
((Nikita - Fine to not RP the finer issues. We shall assume that Dolan and the group have a simple enough way to exchange information, either by carrier-owl or through one of Dolan's trusted employees.))
"I will do as you say, Nikita," Dolan responds when you give him the warning. "I already believe that my steps are being watched. A warning I would add is that if this does include both Malloy and Brinck, it may well concern a gentleman called Theodore Sedgewick. If it does, then we could be in a fair amount of trouble - the links between Brinck and him are well known. If Sedgewick is involved then this could well go beyond Saltmarsh. We are talking about major power players within the region, the amount of wealth they would have access to?" Dolan holds up his hands in a shrug, "I am but a minnow financially compared to Sedgewick."
"Not only that but we are talking influence, locally he would only be rivalled by the likes of Gellan Primewater,"Dolan says, exasperated. "To accuse any of these people would take a lot of irrefutable evidence and potential involvement of the Crown."
Dolan bids his farewells and assures you that he will tread carefully. He seems to know little about the disease but says that he will try and listen out for any further rumours.
Ermasnietsz waits inside the tent to gather more information about the whereabouts of Essie since she believes that Billy's words can help the party locate the missing teenager.
"Father Nathaniel, can you do something to remove the delirious condition? Perhaps, these parasitic creatures are the main culprit. What do you say?"
Nikita walks out of Dolan'sFishmonger building and takes a breath of fresh air. She's open to hear what Nick Nack and Faila would like to do but she definitely knows what she wants to do.
First back towards the town center to look for Boyd. Then over to where they last saw the professor (Karl Rothstein) to ask him about Asha Hawkes and the abandoned house. She does not yet know about 'Prospect' but hopefully would after talking with Boyd. She would also relay everything they heard from Dolan to Boyd. If the others want to get a bite to eat or a drink at the Weekly Market and/or other places (like the Snapping Line), she would of course let them go, but she would not want to miss the chance to talk to Karl Rothstein first since he was right there. Then perhaps food and drink and go to the Weekly Wail.
If she can find professor Karl Rothstein still there, Nikita would approach him circumspectly, introduce herself and any party members with her, and attempt to usher him into a less publicly-exposed spot for a private conversation. She would ask him about: - Asha Hawkes? - What happened in Port Torvin a few years ago? - Did they know Nancy Carver and Hiram Melnick? - What is the location of Asha Hawkes' abandoned house? - If one were to travel there, say on horseback or carriage, which gate would one use when exiting Saltmarsh - west gate?
(If she can't immediately see the professor, Nikita would send Thumbtack on a quick scouting circle of a 100' radius to see if she can track him down). Only once that conversation is done would she rejoin any party members getting a bite to eat or a drink. Then maybe the Weekly Wail, unless someone else had split off and investigated that already.
Meresaa looks to Ermasnietsz and back to Nathaniel and starts to say something but stops abruptly. She turns back to her companion and regards her for a moment with her head cocked slightly, seemingly confused or surprised. "Hmph," she declares approvingly and nods once before turning back to the priest. "She may very well be right, although any number of other things may have happened to the boy. I'm no healer, but where I'm from we have ammonia salts which can temporarily restore the senses. Do you have any such substance here? We need more information about this Prospect place and what's happened to the children. Maybe Billy knows the source of the creatures in him as well!"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Carnival's Medical Tent (Ermasnietsz & Meresaa)
Nathaniel shrugs at Ermasnietsz's question, "I can provide him with a sleeping draught and attempt to manually remove the creatures."
"Look," he shows you, "it looks like his skin has become soft and almost... mud-like. Around his abdomen... I, I think I can remove the creatures." Nathaniel quickly prepares a tonic for Billy, feeding it the best he can into the young boy's mouth.
DM Rolls:
24
3
3
The ex-Priest of Procan's hands work quickly. He places a small metal tray next to him and wears thick leather gloves. Those observing would be able to tell the skill Nathaniel has, disgraced or not. His hands easily penetrate Billy's skin, without leaving a hole or mark. It is as he described - the skin is a thick mud, or quicksand, consistency.
"One..."Nathaniel's hands deftly pull out a squirming creature. It fits neatly in the ex-priest's palm, a similar size to a leech. As before it has a number of razor-sharp, tiny barbs up and down the length of its body. "Gods!" Nathaniel says, forgetting himself, "the HELLS is this thing?". He places the small creature in the metal tray.
"Keep an eye on it would you Ermasnietsz, Meresaa?" Nathaniel says, "make sure the little blighter doesn't go anywhere."
Up-close you can, once more, see it has an iridescent purple sheen. The creature's tiny little mouth opens and tries to latch on to the tray, clearly attempting to find its next host.
"Two!"Nathaniel declares triumphantly, as he slops the next creature down into the tray.
"And three! I believe that's it." Nathaniel says. "Have you ever seen anything of its like?" He asks curiously. "A parasite to be sure. It looks like it was the cause of what happened to Billy's skin." Nathaniel says as he gently pats Billy's stomach. "How do you reckon it got there?"
"Now, we can only wait and see whether Billy will recover," Nathaniel says, glumly, "though, with the offending creatures removed, it looks hopeful."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Ermasnietsz observes the complex set of medical procedures. Especially, when Nathaniel extracts the parasitical creatures from the stomach of the affected person, she stares at the squirming creatures with an expression of disbelief. So, when Meresaa flashes her a look of surprise, she doesn't seem capable of responding to non-verbal questions.
"It was possibly implanted inside the body through the navel area or directly placed under the skin with the help of magical means. Did you see the appendage embedded inside Claude's neck, Father?"
Saltmarsh Town Centre - Boyd, Faila, Nick & Nikita
Boyd - You spot Faila, Nick and Nikita walking down the street from the North. It appears that they have just come out of a large, warehouse structure.
Faila, Nick & Nikita - You easily find Boyd standing near the Dwarven anvil.
((To expedite things, I think it can be safely assumed that you are all able to quite easily find each other as you go about your tasks. Just let me know where you wish to head / what you wish to do.))
Nikita - You easily find Karl walking around the Weekly Market. He walks with a dark-wood cane, has wild greying hair, and cracked glasses. At a guess, you would believe him to be in his late 50's or early 60's. "Pleased to meet you, Ms Tantsora," the Professor says politely.
"Ahh Asha. Yes, I thought to re-connect with my old work colleague. I had not heard from her in an awfully long while and thought to visit her here in Saltmarsh,"he explains. "Port Torvin? A few years ago?" Professor Rothstein scratches his head, "Asha left the academy, said she wished to return to her family home - Prospect. It came as quite a shock, she was an awfully gifted professor."
"Not only that but she was the only one who stood by me, saved my job. I found myself in a messy divorce, struggling to cope with certain pressures, it was Asha that helped me through them." He looks at you, there is sadness behind his eyes, "Oh, nothing crude mind you. She was just there to listen and to help keep my mind off of things. She has a most brilliant mind, Ms Hawkes. Most brilliant."
"Hiram Melnick you say?" Rothstein contemplates aloud, "Was he that former solicitor? I heard that Casper Brinck brought his property within Port Torvin when he left. I met Mr Brinck here, in Saltmarsh, would you believe? Charming fellow."
When you bridge the topic of the Hawkes residence, Rothstein's eyes light up, "Ahhh yes, it was a grand manor back in the day. Of course, I try and stop by now and then - leave flowers and the whatnot. I had hoped to meet Asha there but... well, if you saw the state of the place. Besides, the gate was locked and there is a large boundary wall. A large sign above the gate reads - PROSPECT."
He chuckles to himself, "it really is the queerest place. Would you believe that the locals seem to think that it is haunted! Haunted, really? By whom, I wonder? Really, simply because it looks long abandoned." The Professor rambles on a little about how he had attempted to gain entry a number of times and failed. He mentions that his search for Asha went dead and that the authorities seemed deaf to his requests for assistance. "Then there was that Mr Brinck, you know the one I was telling you about before. He told me, to my face, that I should not bother visiting Prospect anymore and that I was searching in the wrong place. Suggested I checked out Seaton. But why would Asha visit a place like Seaton? I ask you."
The Professor looks at you and tuts at himself, "but I am rambling on Ms Tantora. I apologise. Did you ask about how to get to Prospect? Simply through the West Gate, it sits not more than what, a few miles from Saltmarsh. Would not take long at all on horseback. Otherwise maybe an hour, or an hour and a half's, walk."
"You know she really was a visionary, young Asha. I still hope to find her,"he says with a smile.
Boyd waits around the front of the Dwarven Anvil until he spots the others and rejoins them.
"Had a talk with Maureen and O'Toole," He starts, "Not too much of use out of Maureen. But O'Toole had a bit to say..." He gives them the condensed version of what he learned, but tries not to leave out any details.
He explains that Sedgewick is probably at the center of whatever is going on, but he hasn't been seen since the carnival arrived. The black carriage that kidnapped the kids belongs to Casper Brinck. The guard and probably the council has been covering up a smuggling operation called or connected to the "sanguine cabal." O'Toole thinks Lexi Rosetta, Casper Brinck and Rosie Malloy may have been involved in his disappearance. Rosie Malloy further implicates Thomas Dolan. There may be further information about all this at the Weekly Wail, the local newspaper which was recently purchased by Brinck and is now being guarded secretly. The only council member O'Toole trusts is Manistrad. ((Boyd reveals everything in post 207, 216, and 228.)
Boyd then attempts to put some of the pieces together, "Sounds like Esther and Billy maybe weren't a random attack. O'Toole seemed to think Sir Charles was murdered - maybe they're after his daughter now. Billy could have been bait to get her away from the town proper, even if he didn't know it. Now then, who took 'em and how's it related to the disease, if it is at all, is another question altogether." He knuckles his moustache and continues with his hypothesis, "O'Toole said he read a letter to Sedgewick saying they was going to Prospect to get the singing Dummy - remember that weird marionette what Ol' Nance was talking 'bout? ... What do you reckon Asha Hawkes has red hair?"
"Looks like we've got some more leads we can follow up on - the captains, the temple of Procan, the weekly wail, Prospect, Brinck hisself." He looks at the group, "Well, where should we start, folks? I think I could get meself into the Weekly Wail tonight without too much trouble."
Nikita nods. She lets Boyd know about the entire exchange with Thomas Dolan, adding that she does not think Rosie Malloy and Dolan are working together any more. She was his best captain but betrayed him around 3-4 years ago and turned against him, also co-opting his other sailors and sabotaging his operation. Nikita, at least, believes Dolan in this. She shares her observation that it's unlikely to be Brinck alone since the clues are too obvious, almost like bait. She layers on her knowledge of the conspiracy, with the misfortunes befalling Freyn and Dolan alike. And with Theodore Sedgewick possibly at the middle of it all.
Nikita agrees that Boyd, and anyone who wants to go with him, should visit the Weekly Wail.
"Let me run and catch Asha Hawkes' friend, professor Karl Rothstein there." Anyone that wants to come with her, can of course, or go with Boyd, or do something else such as get food and drink.
After hearing Rothstein out, Nikita thinks about the information on the abandoned house west of town. That must be where Brinck's carriage headed out the west gate, and likely the focal point of this whole mess. Prospect.
To Rothstein, she simply says: "Asha Hawkes sounds as if she is a great woman, professor. I will certainly keep an eye out for her. Could you describe her appearance so that I can recognize her? And did she by any chance perform any experiments with... I know this sounds strange... a doll of any sort? One which emitted noises that sounded like song? Regardless, please let me know where I can get in touch with you if I do find her."
(If given the professor's current place of residence, Nikita will memorize the address rather than write it down).
Meresaa's eyes go wide as Nathaniel's hands pass right through Billy's abdomen. They get wider still as the creatures are removed. It's clearly not the expected revulsion as she seems transfixed by this new wonder.
Quickly searching the tent, she tries to find some sort of container or vessel to put the little purple lampreys in.
"I've never seen anything remotely like that. It certainly warrants study! Is there a place I can set up some tables and lanterns a safe distance away from others? Any tools or medical implements I can borrow to probe and vivisect them? They seem to have some sort of very specialized physiology. I want to find out what they do, how they do it, how they fare out of their element, and how easy they are to kill, if necessary."
“Come on Nikita and Faila, we’ve done enough investigating for a day. If this was your last try on the material plane, would you work the whole time?… Let’s go find us a nice place to eat and drink and be merry, and if y’all really really wanna keep working, I reckon there’ll be just as much to learn from the loyal folks gossipin away over their ale.” Nick half bows and gestures towards the seafront port direction.
"We could also head back to the carnival for a bit,"Boyd suggests, "they might have come across something and we can all get lunch together - probably won't be eating no carnival food again, after what I saw..."
He lowers his voice, "I'm probably not gonna head to the Wail until tonight, but there's still plenty else we could look into with their help. Might pay a visit to the temple myself after lunch, if anyone else is keen."
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Carnival's Medical Tent (Ermasnietsz & Meresaa)
Taking great care to transport the boy, Meresaa and, begrudgingly, Ermasnietsz start to make their way towards the medical tent and Nathaniel. No sooner than they enter the Carnival a crowd starts to form; hushed excited whispers and murmurs can be heard throughout. It takes moments for Toska and a couple of Skurra - twin brothers - to dash to their aid. "Tha's Billy 'the kid'", one of the brothers says excitedly, the other sympathetically responds, "Oh Bill, wha' y'got yerself into this time?". Toska just grunts and takes the collapsed boy from Meresaa and Ermasnietsz hands. She holds Billy as though he weighed no more than a bag of sugar.
As Toska carried the boy a number of Skurra start to make a way through the crowds. A rather bewitching, young beauty dressed in a traditional Vistani dress creates a distraction by dancing away from the group; many of the crowd seem to be enchanted by her moves. Other Skurra join the dance, understanding the need for privacy.
Once inside the medical tent, Nathaniel rushed over and directs everyone to the nearest bed, the smell of alcohol is strong on his breath. Nancy appears to be asleep.
"Quick, quick, lay the lad down," Nathaniel directs, "Procan protects!". He instantly gets to work applying all sorts of tonics to the stricken boy, he looks like he knows what he is doing. As he inspects Billy's abdomen you see his hand pass through the boy's stomach, as though it was sand. Nathaniel stumbles back in shock. "What in hells?!" he curses.
Briefly drifting into consciousness, Billy murmurs, "Essie, help Essie... Prospect."
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Boyd chuckles at the guard's remark about his 'profession,' "Well, you're already better than the guards down south, just for noticing. 'Course, I don't ever talk shop with them."
He pauses and thinks about all that the sergeant has said. "So... the Weekly Wail. And where do they set up shop? Any usual hangouts for the others on this list? And Sedgewick's house, know where that is?"
Once he gets those answers, Boyd says, "Okay. Think I got all the information I need. I'll let you know what I learn. Remember, wait 5 minutes before leaving after me. And don't worry about my safety, I'm already taking care of that."
Then he departs. If he can find his other companions in town, he'll join them, otherwise he'll head back to the circus.
"Ah! Teenage love"- Ermasnietsz declares when she finds Billy repeatedly chanting the name 'Essie'. "Where have you been, boy? Where's the girl? Tell me now!
InkedBee (Undead_Analyst)
Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts - Jenviel Tsumara: Fallen Aasimar- Monk|Crimson Sands of Time - Navarra Iltazyara: Human- Druid/Warlock| Bleak Prospect - Ermasnietsz: Reborn- Clockwork Soul Sorcerer
Faila is surprised when Nikita takes her hand to give it a squeeze, but it somehow files away in her mind in the same category as Nick's dramatic nap on the carpet. Faila's last memory of any affection of solidarity was with her family before they died... and that's always seemed, foggy, unreal. As if she couldn't ever reconcile it with watching them be torn to pieces by the predators that she can't escape now in her own body. She has always had to stay apart from people, afraid of what would happen. Awkward transactions, money for random jobs, usually for those desperate or from out of town, maybe some show of kindness or sympathy, was the extent of her camaraderie with people in towns. She tried very hard to live a normal life... only in the end it was her own fault that she couldn't have one, that no one could trust her. The only thing different about the people she is with now, she thinks, is that they are displaced, too. They are also alone and afraid. Is that enough? Faila doesn't know.
She reaches down and pats the prostrate gnome on the arm. Then she looks back at Dolan. "Maybe, if we are able to find out if these eggs are widespread, Manistrad should know about it." She looks at Nikita again. "We didn't look at Nancy. We should. What if she has them too? If she does, others could have them."
To Faila, Nikita would muse: "Possibly we could tell this Manistrad Copperlocks, but my instinct, knowing kings of these lands, is that notifying them is a last resort. The reaction might be heavy-handed. To drive the Carnival away as a source of disease rather than trying to help them. I do not think we should tell Copperlocks until we know more information ourselves as to the source of the disease. It almost seems targeted, not necessarily naturally spreading. I think we have a small part of Lady Isolde's first goal achieved, which is to find who is responsible. Casper Brinck. But it almost certainly goes beyond him. Let's discuss it with the group."
To Dolan, though she wants to ask about the fiddle and the scar and many other things, Nikita would probably leave well enough alone now, not wanting to presume. For communication purposes, she would try to arrange with him a hidden drop-off point accessible to her owl, Thumbtack, that she could use to send Dolan a note undetected, and to receive a note back from him in response if he were to leave one there. (OOC: Not going to try to RP that, if that's ok).
"Mr. Dolan - we will do our best for your sake and for Lady Isolde's to track this down. I may have failed at my previous job as a spy but I am determined to make up for it here. Please be aware that this has every appearance of being a bigger conspiracy. Casper Brinck, no doubt, but probably Rosie Malloy as well and others. Misfortunes befalling Charles Freyn, misfortunes befalling you and your ships. Misfortunes befalling many related to the Carnival. Very unlikely to all be a coincidence. Malloy may be used to discredit you as everyone will naturally assume what she did was with your blessing. I think you should act publicly as if you are unaware anything has changed in your understanding of the situation."
"And the disease... the... parasites appear otherworldly. Necrotic. I do not know if they are man-made, but something made them. It's entirely possible that the being behind this is not a person in the sense that we all are. Even him - " At this Nikita gestures and gives a lopsided grin, lookin over at Nick Nack on the floor. "Time to go, Mr. Nack. You haven't lost us yet. I need to go practice with the studded leather you and Faila bought me. Do I need to use Prestidigitation to clean Mr. Dolan's rug? It really ties the room together, you know?" (OOC: best I could do with a Big Lebowski reference).
Nikita waits to see if Faila has any further questions for Dolan, then politely takes leave on behalf of the three of them, going back out to look for Boyd. As far as she is thinking, the one other person she wants to talk to here is the professor that is looking for Asha Hawkes. But she would be open to checking out the Weekly Wail as well, or even going to Council Hall if Faila and the others wanted, though she would be very hesitant about that.
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
Sighing yet again, Meresaa realizes she's starting to develop a bit of a headache from rolling her eyes at Ermasnietsz so much. She makes a mental note to try not to do that anymore. Or to at least be conscious of who can see it...
Leaning over Nathaniel, she sees where he's looking and nods solemnly.
"We noticed that when we found him. I take it this isn't a common symptom in this world. Does Billy's affliction appear to be anything like that of Harold's? Speaking of... Where is Harold?" She stands back to her full height and looks around the tent.
Glancing back down to the healer, a question hits her. "Do you have any idea what Billy means by 'Prospect'?"
Characters currently being ruined on this forum:
Neria Tallfellow (Halfling Rogue) - Curse of the Crimson Throne with Ashen_Age
Saltmarsh Town Centre - Boyd
Boyd - O'Toole grins when you mention the guard 'down south'. "Spent most of my time around petty criminals, you tend to notice the small things," he explains, "may just be paranoid in my old age."
"The Weekly Wail," the sergeant begins, "you'll be able to find their offices just behind the Council Hall, near the Dwarven Anvil. As for the usual hangouts for the others? Sedgewick has a property located to the north of town, as said no one he hasn't been spotted in town for a couple of weeks. Malloy's ship, Madame X, is docked near Crabber's Cove. Brinck has property in Port Torvin, I'm not too sure where he stays when in Saltmarsh but he has been spotted travelling south on a number of occasions."
The sergeant bids you farewell and to take care, before continuing to take sips at his apple juice.
((Once the others leave they are sure to be travelling past the Dwarven Anvil. You'd have little trouble meeting them there.))
Map of Saltmarsh (Updated)
Places of Interest (Colour, Symbol)
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Carnival Medical Tent (Ermasnietsz & Meresaa)
Nathaniel looks quizically at Ermasnietsz, "doubt he can hear you, seems like he's delirious."
"We tried to move Harold, but he crumbled," the aged ex-Priest explains in answer to Meresaa's questions, "turned into dust before my very eyes." He takes a deep gulp and rubs at his sweaty brow.
"Prospect?" Nathaniel says shrugging, "wait... ain't that the old Hawkes family home? Used to hold all sorts of parties and dances back in the day. Pretty sure they called it something garish like that. They died a while back, I remember taking their funeral. I think they were survived by a daughter, who lived in Port Torvin - Professor of something."
"Reckon Billy went there? Last I heard it was abandoned."
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Fishmongers’ Plants (Nikita, Nick Nack & Faila)
"Have a care," Dolan warns Faila, "what do you believe the likely reaction Manistrad may have to you revealing the threat? If you heard that a foreign group had entered the area and carried with them a disease that could infect others? Isolation? Termination? She would certainly deal with the issue, but possibly not in the way you believe. Perhaps that is what Brinck wanted?"
As Nikita says her piece Dolan nods in agreement, "precisely."
((Nikita - Fine to not RP the finer issues. We shall assume that Dolan and the group have a simple enough way to exchange information, either by carrier-owl or through one of Dolan's trusted employees.))
"I will do as you say, Nikita," Dolan responds when you give him the warning. "I already believe that my steps are being watched. A warning I would add is that if this does include both Malloy and Brinck, it may well concern a gentleman called Theodore Sedgewick. If it does, then we could be in a fair amount of trouble - the links between Brinck and him are well known. If Sedgewick is involved then this could well go beyond Saltmarsh. We are talking about major power players within the region, the amount of wealth they would have access to?" Dolan holds up his hands in a shrug, "I am but a minnow financially compared to Sedgewick."
"Not only that but we are talking influence, locally he would only be rivalled by the likes of Gellan Primewater," Dolan says, exasperated. "To accuse any of these people would take a lot of irrefutable evidence and potential involvement of the Crown."
Dolan bids his farewells and assures you that he will tread carefully. He seems to know little about the disease but says that he will try and listen out for any further rumours.
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Ermasnietsz waits inside the tent to gather more information about the whereabouts of Essie since she believes that Billy's words can help the party locate the missing teenager.
"Father Nathaniel, can you do something to remove the delirious condition? Perhaps, these parasitic creatures are the main culprit. What do you say?"
InkedBee (Undead_Analyst)
Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts - Jenviel Tsumara: Fallen Aasimar- Monk|Crimson Sands of Time - Navarra Iltazyara: Human- Druid/Warlock| Bleak Prospect - Ermasnietsz: Reborn- Clockwork Soul Sorcerer
Nikita walks out of Dolan's Fishmonger building and takes a breath of fresh air. She's open to hear what Nick Nack and Faila would like to do but she definitely knows what she wants to do.
First back towards the town center to look for Boyd. Then over to where they last saw the professor (Karl Rothstein) to ask him about Asha Hawkes and the abandoned house. She does not yet know about 'Prospect' but hopefully would after talking with Boyd. She would also relay everything they heard from Dolan to Boyd. If the others want to get a bite to eat or a drink at the Weekly Market and/or other places (like the Snapping Line), she would of course let them go, but she would not want to miss the chance to talk to Karl Rothstein first since he was right there. Then perhaps food and drink and go to the Weekly Wail.
If she can find professor Karl Rothstein still there, Nikita would approach him circumspectly, introduce herself and any party members with her, and attempt to usher him into a less publicly-exposed spot for a private conversation. She would ask him about:
- Asha Hawkes?
- What happened in Port Torvin a few years ago?
- Did they know Nancy Carver and Hiram Melnick?
- What is the location of Asha Hawkes' abandoned house?
- If one were to travel there, say on horseback or carriage, which gate would one use when exiting Saltmarsh - west gate?
(If she can't immediately see the professor, Nikita would send Thumbtack on a quick scouting circle of a 100' radius to see if she can track him down). Only once that conversation is done would she rejoin any party members getting a bite to eat or a drink. Then maybe the Weekly Wail, unless someone else had split off and investigated that already.
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
Meresaa looks to Ermasnietsz and back to Nathaniel and starts to say something but stops abruptly. She turns back to her companion and regards her for a moment with her head cocked slightly, seemingly confused or surprised. "Hmph," she declares approvingly and nods once before turning back to the priest. "She may very well be right, although any number of other things may have happened to the boy. I'm no healer, but where I'm from we have ammonia salts which can temporarily restore the senses. Do you have any such substance here? We need more information about this Prospect place and what's happened to the children. Maybe Billy knows the source of the creatures in him as well!"
Characters currently being ruined on this forum:
Neria Tallfellow (Halfling Rogue) - Curse of the Crimson Throne with Ashen_Age
Carnival's Medical Tent (Ermasnietsz & Meresaa)
Nathaniel shrugs at Ermasnietsz's question, "I can provide him with a sleeping draught and attempt to manually remove the creatures."
"Look," he shows you, "it looks like his skin has become soft and almost... mud-like. Around his abdomen... I, I think I can remove the creatures." Nathaniel quickly prepares a tonic for Billy, feeding it the best he can into the young boy's mouth.
DM Rolls:
24
3
3
The ex-Priest of Procan's hands work quickly. He places a small metal tray next to him and wears thick leather gloves. Those observing would be able to tell the skill Nathaniel has, disgraced or not. His hands easily penetrate Billy's skin, without leaving a hole or mark. It is as he described - the skin is a thick mud, or quicksand, consistency.
"One..." Nathaniel's hands deftly pull out a squirming creature. It fits neatly in the ex-priest's palm, a similar size to a leech. As before it has a number of razor-sharp, tiny barbs up and down the length of its body. "Gods!" Nathaniel says, forgetting himself, "the HELLS is this thing?". He places the small creature in the metal tray.
"Keep an eye on it would you Ermasnietsz, Meresaa?" Nathaniel says, "make sure the little blighter doesn't go anywhere."
Up-close you can, once more, see it has an iridescent purple sheen. The creature's tiny little mouth opens and tries to latch on to the tray, clearly attempting to find its next host.
"Two!" Nathaniel declares triumphantly, as he slops the next creature down into the tray.
"And three! I believe that's it." Nathaniel says. "Have you ever seen anything of its like?" He asks curiously. "A parasite to be sure. It looks like it was the cause of what happened to Billy's skin." Nathaniel says as he gently pats Billy's stomach. "How do you reckon it got there?"
"Now, we can only wait and see whether Billy will recover," Nathaniel says, glumly, "though, with the offending creatures removed, it looks hopeful."
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Ermasnietsz observes the complex set of medical procedures. Especially, when Nathaniel extracts the parasitical creatures from the stomach of the affected person, she stares at the squirming creatures with an expression of disbelief. So, when Meresaa flashes her a look of surprise, she doesn't seem capable of responding to non-verbal questions.
Does Ermasnietsz recognize the small creatures?
Arcana 6
"It was possibly implanted inside the body through the navel area or directly placed under the skin with the help of magical means. Did you see the appendage embedded inside Claude's neck, Father?"
InkedBee (Undead_Analyst)
Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts - Jenviel Tsumara: Fallen Aasimar- Monk|Crimson Sands of Time - Navarra Iltazyara: Human- Druid/Warlock| Bleak Prospect - Ermasnietsz: Reborn- Clockwork Soul Sorcerer
Saltmarsh Town Centre - Boyd, Faila, Nick & Nikita
Boyd - You spot Faila, Nick and Nikita walking down the street from the North. It appears that they have just come out of a large, warehouse structure.
Faila, Nick & Nikita - You easily find Boyd standing near the Dwarven anvil.
((To expedite things, I think it can be safely assumed that you are all able to quite easily find each other as you go about your tasks. Just let me know where you wish to head / what you wish to do.))
Nikita - You easily find Karl walking around the Weekly Market. He walks with a dark-wood cane, has wild greying hair, and cracked glasses. At a guess, you would believe him to be in his late 50's or early 60's. "Pleased to meet you, Ms Tantsora," the Professor says politely.
"Ahh Asha. Yes, I thought to re-connect with my old work colleague. I had not heard from her in an awfully long while and thought to visit her here in Saltmarsh," he explains. "Port Torvin? A few years ago?" Professor Rothstein scratches his head, "Asha left the academy, said she wished to return to her family home - Prospect. It came as quite a shock, she was an awfully gifted professor."
"Not only that but she was the only one who stood by me, saved my job. I found myself in a messy divorce, struggling to cope with certain pressures, it was Asha that helped me through them." He looks at you, there is sadness behind his eyes, "Oh, nothing crude mind you. She was just there to listen and to help keep my mind off of things. She has a most brilliant mind, Ms Hawkes. Most brilliant."
"Hiram Melnick you say?" Rothstein contemplates aloud, "Was he that former solicitor? I heard that Casper Brinck brought his property within Port Torvin when he left. I met Mr Brinck here, in Saltmarsh, would you believe? Charming fellow."
When you bridge the topic of the Hawkes residence, Rothstein's eyes light up, "Ahhh yes, it was a grand manor back in the day. Of course, I try and stop by now and then - leave flowers and the whatnot. I had hoped to meet Asha there but... well, if you saw the state of the place. Besides, the gate was locked and there is a large boundary wall. A large sign above the gate reads - PROSPECT."
He chuckles to himself, "it really is the queerest place. Would you believe that the locals seem to think that it is haunted! Haunted, really? By whom, I wonder? Really, simply because it looks long abandoned." The Professor rambles on a little about how he had attempted to gain entry a number of times and failed. He mentions that his search for Asha went dead and that the authorities seemed deaf to his requests for assistance. "Then there was that Mr Brinck, you know the one I was telling you about before. He told me, to my face, that I should not bother visiting Prospect anymore and that I was searching in the wrong place. Suggested I checked out Seaton. But why would Asha visit a place like Seaton? I ask you."
The Professor looks at you and tuts at himself, "but I am rambling on Ms Tantora. I apologise. Did you ask about how to get to Prospect? Simply through the West Gate, it sits not more than what, a few miles from Saltmarsh. Would not take long at all on horseback. Otherwise maybe an hour, or an hour and a half's, walk."
"You know she really was a visionary, young Asha. I still hope to find her," he says with a smile.
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Boyd waits around the front of the Dwarven Anvil until he spots the others and rejoins them.
"Had a talk with Maureen and O'Toole," He starts, "Not too much of use out of Maureen. But O'Toole had a bit to say..." He gives them the condensed version of what he learned, but tries not to leave out any details.
He explains that Sedgewick is probably at the center of whatever is going on, but he hasn't been seen since the carnival arrived. The black carriage that kidnapped the kids belongs to Casper Brinck. The guard and probably the council has been covering up a smuggling operation called or connected to the "sanguine cabal." O'Toole thinks Lexi Rosetta, Casper Brinck and Rosie Malloy may have been involved in his disappearance. Rosie Malloy further implicates Thomas Dolan. There may be further information about all this at the Weekly Wail, the local newspaper which was recently purchased by Brinck and is now being guarded secretly. The only council member O'Toole trusts is Manistrad. ((Boyd reveals everything in post 207, 216, and 228.)
Boyd then attempts to put some of the pieces together, "Sounds like Esther and Billy maybe weren't a random attack. O'Toole seemed to think Sir Charles was murdered - maybe they're after his daughter now. Billy could have been bait to get her away from the town proper, even if he didn't know it. Now then, who took 'em and how's it related to the disease, if it is at all, is another question altogether." He knuckles his moustache and continues with his hypothesis, "O'Toole said he read a letter to Sedgewick saying they was going to Prospect to get the singing Dummy - remember that weird marionette what Ol' Nance was talking 'bout? ... What do you reckon Asha Hawkes has red hair?"
"Looks like we've got some more leads we can follow up on - the captains, the temple of Procan, the weekly wail, Prospect, Brinck hisself." He looks at the group, "Well, where should we start, folks? I think I could get meself into the Weekly Wail tonight without too much trouble."
Nikita nods. She lets Boyd know about the entire exchange with Thomas Dolan, adding that she does not think Rosie Malloy and Dolan are working together any more. She was his best captain but betrayed him around 3-4 years ago and turned against him, also co-opting his other sailors and sabotaging his operation. Nikita, at least, believes Dolan in this. She shares her observation that it's unlikely to be Brinck alone since the clues are too obvious, almost like bait. She layers on her knowledge of the conspiracy, with the misfortunes befalling Freyn and Dolan alike. And with Theodore Sedgewick possibly at the middle of it all.
Nikita agrees that Boyd, and anyone who wants to go with him, should visit the Weekly Wail.
"Let me run and catch Asha Hawkes' friend, professor Karl Rothstein there." Anyone that wants to come with her, can of course, or go with Boyd, or do something else such as get food and drink.
After hearing Rothstein out, Nikita thinks about the information on the abandoned house west of town. That must be where Brinck's carriage headed out the west gate, and likely the focal point of this whole mess. Prospect.
To Rothstein, she simply says: "Asha Hawkes sounds as if she is a great woman, professor. I will certainly keep an eye out for her. Could you describe her appearance so that I can recognize her? And did she by any chance perform any experiments with... I know this sounds strange... a doll of any sort? One which emitted noises that sounded like song? Regardless, please let me know where I can get in touch with you if I do find her."
(If given the professor's current place of residence, Nikita will memorize the address rather than write it down).
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
Meresaa's eyes go wide as Nathaniel's hands pass right through Billy's abdomen. They get wider still as the creatures are removed. It's clearly not the expected revulsion as she seems transfixed by this new wonder.
Quickly searching the tent, she tries to find some sort of container or vessel to put the little purple lampreys in.
"I've never seen anything remotely like that. It certainly warrants study! Is there a place I can set up some tables and lanterns a safe distance away from others? Any tools or medical implements I can borrow to probe and vivisect them? They seem to have some sort of very specialized physiology. I want to find out what they do, how they do it, how they fare out of their element, and how easy they are to kill, if necessary."
Characters currently being ruined on this forum:
Neria Tallfellow (Halfling Rogue) - Curse of the Crimson Throne with Ashen_Age
“Come on Nikita and Faila, we’ve done enough investigating for a day. If this was your last try on the material plane, would you work the whole time?… Let’s go find us a nice place to eat and drink and be merry, and if y’all really really wanna keep working, I reckon there’ll be just as much to learn from the loyal folks gossipin away over their ale.” Nick half bows and gestures towards the seafront port direction.
“Rome wasn’t built in a day”
"We could also head back to the carnival for a bit," Boyd suggests, "they might have come across something and we can all get lunch together - probably won't be eating no carnival food again, after what I saw..."
He lowers his voice, "I'm probably not gonna head to the Wail until tonight, but there's still plenty else we could look into with their help. Might pay a visit to the temple myself after lunch, if anyone else is keen."