Nikita urgently calls Thumbtack back to her shoulder, acting as if neither she nor the owl have noticed the exquisitely-dressed gentleman watching from the second-floor window.
You have been a lifesaver today, my friend. That man may be Theodore Sedgewick, the leader of the Sanguine Cabal. Extremely dangerous. Act as if you did not notice him if you can. He clearly knows we are here and you are right, this may be a trap. All we can hope is that he still thinks we do not know he is up there watching, though he probably knows that too.
To the party in a low, urgent voice, while handing the small key she found to Boyd:
"Based on his tattoo with the flayed finger, Preston Baines is likely one of Lexi Rosetta's crew of thugs. Per O'Toole's research, Rosetta is a pirate captain whose ship is called The Flayed Finger and she may have recently started working for Casper Brinck, Theodore Sedgewick and the Sanguine Cabal."
"But MORE IMPORTANTLY, we have company. Do NOT look, but a distinguished, well-dressed gentleman is watching us from a second-floor window and just beckoned to Thumbtack. Gaunt, high cheekbones, graying hair. Might be Sedgewick himself."
"And even more importantly, two carriages are incoming, speeding towards us, along the road we just came from Saltmarsh, only a few minutes away now. We could try hiding, though Sedgewick or whoever it is upstairs will surely see us. We could walk around to the back of the house or find defensible ground. Perhaps both. Though we may encounter more extraplanar hazards. If anyone has suggestions, speak them now."
Meresaa's large eyes watch Faila breathe a sigh of relief, not noticing of the claws (or sudden lack thereof). She wipes a long-fingered hand on a clean patch of her cloak and places it on the girl's shoulder comfortingly.
"Don't you worry, child. You're with family now, as cobbled together and temporary as it may be. We will all look after each other and that includes you." She gives the warmest smile she can muster while soaked in gore.
Looking to Nikita she says, "If our presence is known and we have an invitation, not entering would seem rude as well as a colossal waste of time. One can't hide while in plain sight, you know. If this gentleman has us spotted from such a vantagepoint, I'm sure he can follow our movements around the yard like a parent watching their children play. Why don't we give up on the skulking about and just go speak with him? There'll be time enough for violence, should it come to it."
Nick nack hides behind the taller of the group, keeping behind faila where he feels safer. Looking about at the circumstance… “a meeting on even terms then… should we go in? Or await a greeting?” Nick pokes his head out from behind others as he inquires.
he instinctually begins to move toward the corner of the building, not wanting to be out in the open as two perhaps powerful and potential enemies meet… the tides of history often crush the common folk, and nick nack wasn’t looking for death today.
“Either way we’ll need a rest before we are useful in a dangerous circumstance… rest… hide… negotiate… everyone showed their group efforts with the boggles… thank you all for making it easier to trust each of your motivations today” nick is nervous but speaks quickly, time of the essence.
he looks to see if anyone follows as he darts around the corner for some cover as the carriages arrive.
Ermasnietsz drops the leather briefcase outside the carriage and creeps out of the vehicle. She eagerly listens to everything, observing the expressions of the teammates and taking mental note of the change of their mannerism. Finally, she realizes the fact that she should be concerned about the sudden appearance of the carriages, probably express her concern too. But, before anything else she needs to close the gate and mend the lock in order to bar easy entrance to the perimeter of the house.
"We wait until the carriages show up. I think those carriages are occupied by the townsguards. We're not the only group searching for Esther."
She closes the door of the carriage and fixes the lock using a pair of lodestones (Mending). When she's satisfied with the quality of repaired lock, she will jog towards the gate.
Name: Harber, Ted; Reason: Requested Guard look into disappearance of wife; Status: Harvested & Dumped
The entries are separated by year and start around 4 years ago. A couple of the entries, however, remain uncrossed; among them is a certain "O'Toole, Eamon", whose status is listed as being "actively monitored".
After that, there appears to be a ledger containing names of ships, shipping routes, the perceived value of the cargo they hold, and embarkment dates. You note that a number of ships have the name Dolan scrawled next to them. The initials FF and MX appear time and again; "MX recovered cargo, 250g," "FF interrogated crew."
Finally, you find an address book listing a number of contacts, where they are based, and what looks like monetary amounts.
Ermasnietsz - You feel a slight vibration coming from the sending stone within your pocket, a voice enters your mind, Toska's;
"Badly wounded. Found shrine in den. Maud recognised, took over Claude, attacked. Alone now. Spriggan den. Dark, damp, fungi everywhere. Tell Isolde… I forgive her…"
You can tell, even though the message is relayed directly to your mind, that Toska is struggling to get the word out.
Ermasnietsz collects the small black book and the ledger, then keeps the documents tucked away in a compartment of her backpack. "I received a message from Toska. She's found a shrine inside a den. And... nothing else. Excuse me, I need to go." She hurriedly moves towards the part of the area where she'd spotted Toska and Claude-Maud earlier, abandoning the task at hand immediately.
To Nikita, "I forgot to ask you something. Did your bird find some sort of entrance to a den? It's probably hidden among foliage and fungi, so..."
Rustling from above. A curse muttered, then another. Creaking and scuffing sounds. The gaunt man takes hold of the thick ivy located next to the window he was standing by. Moments later he swings out of the window, desperately clinging to the vegetation, cursing aloud. He is hardly nimble. Lowering himself down he makes it most of the way before falling the last few feet to the ground.
Standing in front of you, the man instantly neatens his clothing and draws himself upright. Leaves and mud now decorate his expensive clothing.
((Casper Brinck))
"The m-m-meddlers from the C-C-Carnival,"he scoffs. His voice is drooling and slippery, forget being born with a silver spoon up a certain appendage, it is clear that this man had an entire cutlery set lodged up there. "I..."he looks around at you all, "have a p-p-proposition."
Moving towards the briefcase Ermasnietsz dropped next to the carriage, the man briefly stops. "Oh, I g-guess introductions are n-n-necessary. B-Brinck, C-C-Casper B-Brinck,"he stammers before bending over to pick up his briefcase. "I n-n-need y-you,"he says, not making eye contact he rubs his arms vigorously.
In response to Ermasnietsz's question first: "Yes Thumbtack saw a few other buildings. Maybe it's the third or fourth on this list I mentioned earlier? Why, what's happened? - Ruined greenhouses behind Prospect with large, dangerous-looking plants. - Small lake behind the house to the left with movement under the surface of the water. - Small building next to the lake, obscured and partially blocked by overgrowth. - Ruined building to the right, perhaps a crypt."
The instant she sees Brinck swing down, Nikita takes a few quick steps back, taking what cover she can, one hand on her longbow and another ready to cast magic.
Now it begins. Let us see if we survive the next few minutes. And why is he speaking like that, stammering? Sounds like... Reggie Clover did! Has he been drained too?
Quietly to Faila: "Does his stammer remind you of anyone?"
More forcefully to the new arrival: "Casper Brinck. Kidnapper. Murderer. Local heavy in Saltmarsh. Infecting children with those extraplanar slugs. Sedgewick's dog. You need us? The others can speak for themselves, but as far as I'm concerned you have a few seconds to give us a good reason not to end you right now. Do not touch that briefcase, and if you stall, waiting for the other carriages to arrive, you are as good as gone in my eyes."
Nikita's eyes are flashing and the scar on her face stands out in sharp relief. She is on a hair-trigger to attack.
I am done playing nice with demons, real or virtual, be they fiends, humans, or whatever this creature is.
Nikita - Casper Brinck shows little emotion at your accusations. He merely opens his hands up, placatingly. "P-p-please. I-its all there, in my b-b-briefcase! T-t-they'll kill me. T-t-they are c-c-coming! We m-m-must act f-f-fast!" At this point, his scratching becomes more pronounced.
"S-S-Sedgewick, w-w-whatevers l-left of h-him is in t-t-there," he points at Prospect house, "I h-h-have a k-k-key." Ignoring your commands he quickly picks up the briefcase and walks towards the front of the house and proceeds to unlock the door. "Q-q-quickly! Out of, out of, s-s-sight!"
Brinck moves his hand to rub at his forehead. As he rubs parts of his skin begin to flake off. His eyes widen, the look of absolute terror, the look many of the victims of the Sagacitas had in their final moments. "I-its all in here,"he says patting his briefcase, "I k-kept n-n-notes. M-m-metic-u-lous-ly. A-a-all I a-a-ask is t-that you s-s-spare m-me."
"Y-you s-saw P-P-Preston's b-body. I h-h-had to. F-f-found out I w-was b-being d-d-dispose of... y-you m-m-mmmust d-deal with S-S-Sedgewick." With that Casper Brinck shakes uncontrollably and lets out an anguished wail. His hands clutch desperately at his stomach. "L-l-little b-b-bastards!" he curses. "Q-q-quickly, y-y-you must f-f-follow m-m-mee!"
Boyd watches all this unfold with a looks of utter revulsion on his face. He is clearly avoiding the infested man, and the corpses of the man and worm. Still, every once in a while he shoots a look of concern down the road where the coaches are coming from. "I don't like this..." he states warily. "We could still hide and see what's coming. We can take the briefcase and run..."
Just in case the group decides to follow Brinck, Boyd keeps his eyes peeled for traps in the house.
The change doesn’t come as too much of a shock for nick nack, himself more a dog with his nose to the ground than the detective with pipe in mouth contemplating at this time…
“we have him outnumbered if this IS a trap… but I think we should go with his idea to hide and we can discuss slowly after we are I. Safety and some of you look over his notes…” nick speaks with the group.
”and keep your hands where we can see them” he adds quickly, turning to Casper.
Casper Brinck seems genuinely terrified of the people approaching in the carriages. It is clear that he was responsible for implanting the Sagacitas within Preston.
Given his general appearance, his mannerisms, and his snivelling nature, you get the sense that he is likely telling the truth. At no point has he attempted to hide the acts he has committed.
Furthermore, you get the sense that he is finding it very hard to humble himself in any way; he undoubtedly saw it as degrading to ask you for help and would have only done so due to desperation.
When he mentions the name Sedgewick you pick up a micro-expression of contempt; something has caused him to find the man repulsive. It is unlikely to be a trap.
Nick Nack - "N-n-naturally,"Brinck mumbles, looking relieved that the party agreed to enter. "We sh-should h-hide. I-i-if that i-is R-R-Rosetta I c-c-could always t-try n-n-nego-tiating with h-her. B-b-but she is h-hired m-m-mmmuscle. A thhh-ug."
Lowering his voice to almost a whisper, Brink continues. "S-S-Sedwick is i-i-inside. B-b-but he h-has ch-ch-changed. B-b-be on h-h-high al-alert." He proceeds to creep inside the house.
Ermasnietsz rubs the temples and wipes imaginary sweat from her forehead. She scratches the tip of her nose when Nikita repeatedly asks for some sort of explanation, inadvertently displaying all the signs of an anxious person but refusing to express it. "Well, Maud took control of Claude's body and attacked Toska."
She pauses abruptly to observe the expression of the elderly male, Casper Brinck and decides to continue, "Well, I'm the one who influenced her to do so. I realized how powerful she could have been if she had full control. But, I fear that she will start a fire, and the shrine will be reduced to ashes."She closes the door and leans against the surface to prevent the party from leaving the house.
"Toska must be dead by the time we reach the shrine or crypt. Let's focus on the task at hand, I'll deal with the minor inconvenience later."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Faila gives Caspar Brinck a wide berth, seeing his scratching and stuttering. Another victim of Sagacitas. She nods vigorously in response to Nikita's question. "He's desperate, too," she says in a whisper. After he speaks, she says, "I believe him. And he's going to die.... really soon." Tears of frustration and terror appear unbidden in her eyes. She doesn't hesitate to follow the group inside the manor, looking around for a place to hide. She also keeps watching Caspar, trying to understand what he wants or is trying to do.
At Erma's revelation about Toska and Maud, she almost tries to run back out of the manor. "Erma, we can't leave them in the hands of a fiend!" she protests, when the clockwork sorcerer blocks the door.
(For Caspar and the manor): Insight: 10 Perception: 19 Investigation: 5
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Nikita registers Ermasnietsz' words about Toska and Claude/Maud, and a small part of her despairs, but she doesn't allow it to come to the surface. It has started. The dying. As I knew it would.
After an agonizing moment of indecision, she nods briefly at Faila's assessment and decides to follow Casper Brinck into Prospect for now, ready to use her rapier or longbow or a spell at the slightest provocation.
To Brinck: "If that is Rosetta, you say you can negotiate? Are you expecting her or some of your other associates?" Maybe Rosie Malloy. Or maybe some of the town guard from the western barracks (Kraddok?).
Nikita keeps Thumbtack firmly rooted to her shoulder, but both she and the owl scan for enemies and hazards once inside the house.
Unlike Faila, though she trusts the wild druid youngster more than the strange sorcerer, Nikita doesn't react negatively to Ermasnietsz blocking the door. Better to keep outsiders from seeing inside. Unlikely we can do anything for Toska now anyway before the carriages come. We have to try to remove Sedgewick from the equation now, before anyone else arrives.
"Come now," Meresaa says, attempting to refocus the vocalized concerns. "As they say on airships, 'Don your own parachute before seeing to the straps and buckles of those next to you.' It seems that we've found ourselves in predictably immediate danger. At this moment, there's nothing we can do about Toska and Claud. They understood the danger they were taking on. We'll see what can be done for them once we're safe."
She follows Brinck cautiously, one hand palming one of her explosive pouches, the other fingering the hilt of the dagger concealed in the sleeve of her robe.
Speaking to Casper, she says, "And just how do you think you'd negotiate with Ms. Rosetta? I've heard she's quite brutal and cruel. Doesn't strike me as the type to stop and talk."
Ermasnietsz - Confusion crosses Brinck's face as you speak of Toska and the shrine. "Sh-shrine? In P-P-Prospect?" he stammers, "wh-who's it t-to?"
Faila's checks:
Insight
Unrepentant and uncaring for those other than himself. Casper Brinck seems, in this case, to be largely telling the truth about feeling as though he is being cast out of the Cabal. He seems to have a genuine fear of Sedgewick.
Perception
The manor is in a dilapidated state, to the extent that you believe either the floor, walls, or ceiling could give way at any time; care is required. There are strange fungal growths everywhere, these seem to be relatively new to the property, as though their growth has been expedited in recent days/weeks. You can tell that the house was once a grand place, used to holding all sorts of parties and soirées.
Parts of the walls are crumbling in areas. Poking through seems to be the remnants of a pre-existing wall, as though Prospect was built out of the ruins of a much older building - dating back centuries.
Investigation
The fungi and strange flora look oddly appetising and pretty. Perhaps you could make a nice tea or a soup. Who knows? They may not be poisonous at all.
Nikita - "G-G-Gods, yes!" Brinck says, clearly exasperated. "D-d-d-don't you know w-what I h-h-hold? I-its all o-our d-d-dealings, o-of the S-S-San-guine C-C-Cabal, st-stemming b-b-back y-y-years!" Once more he scratches absent-mindedly at his brow and arms. "Kr-Kra-ddok, n-no, h-he's n-n-not one o-of ours," Brinck is almost hypoventilating now, "M-M-Molloy? U-un-like-ly. R-R-Ros-etta? C-certainly. A-a-along w-w-with her c-crew!"
"R-R-Rosetta m-m-might w-want out. Sh-she has n-n-nothing to l-lose, her rep-rep-reputation is al-ready in t-tat-ters. P-p-pay h-her en-enough an' she'll s-switch." Brinck seems sure about his assertion. "S-S-Sedge-wick h-h-has ch-ch-changed,"he says once more, beginning to shake uncontrollably. "M-m-mouths e-everywhere... L-l-little o-ones. H-h-hes a m-m-monster! H-he's h-h-here. D-d-deeper in th-the h-h-house. I-I-I h-had hoped t-to pl-pl-plead w-with h-h-him. L-l-look w-w-what h-h-he has d-done t-to me!" He rolls up his sleeves to reveal some of the extents the Sagacitas has had on his body.
"P-p-please. I-I-I'll g-give y-y-you a-anything... M-m-money, p-p-power, p-p-position... a s-s-seat on the C-C-Council? I c-c-can arrange it,"he shoots you a brief smile before letting out a desperate howl of pain.
Nikita & Thumbtack's checks:
Ivy, vines, and fungi cover the interior of the manor house; the vegetation pokes through cracks in the walls, floor, and ceiling. Thumbtack seems weary of some of the plant life here, especially drawing your attention to some of the plants with large venus-flytrap style appendages. Careful, he pleads with you. Though neither of you spots an immediate threat, the hazards are clear.
Meresaa - "M-money,"Brinck says simply. "W-w-who d-d-do y-y-you t-think d-d-dealt,"he takes a pause but, due to his predicament, decides to continue, "w-w-with all o-of t-the f-f-financial s-side of th-things?" He clutches his briefcase, hugging it closely. "G-g-given S-S-Sedge-wick's c-c-current s-s-state, R-R-Ros-et-ta is m-more l-likely to g-get p-paid i-if I-I-I'm a-a-alive. I-I j-just n-n-need b-back-u-up. I-in c-case t-things t-t-trans-pire a-as y-you s-say."
Nikita urgently calls Thumbtack back to her shoulder, acting as if neither she nor the owl have noticed the exquisitely-dressed gentleman watching from the second-floor window.
You have been a lifesaver today, my friend. That man may be Theodore Sedgewick, the leader of the Sanguine Cabal. Extremely dangerous. Act as if you did not notice him if you can. He clearly knows we are here and you are right, this may be a trap. All we can hope is that he still thinks we do not know he is up there watching, though he probably knows that too.
To the party in a low, urgent voice, while handing the small key she found to Boyd:
"Based on his tattoo with the flayed finger, Preston Baines is likely one of Lexi Rosetta's crew of thugs. Per O'Toole's research, Rosetta is a pirate captain whose ship is called The Flayed Finger and she may have recently started working for Casper Brinck, Theodore Sedgewick and the Sanguine Cabal."
"But MORE IMPORTANTLY, we have company. Do NOT look, but a distinguished, well-dressed gentleman is watching us from a second-floor window and just beckoned to Thumbtack. Gaunt, high cheekbones, graying hair. Might be Sedgewick himself."
"And even more importantly, two carriages are incoming, speeding towards us, along the road we just came from Saltmarsh, only a few minutes away now. We could try hiding, though Sedgewick or whoever it is upstairs will surely see us. We could walk around to the back of the house or find defensible ground. Perhaps both. Though we may encounter more extraplanar hazards. If anyone has suggestions, speak them now."
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 large eyes watch Faila breathe a sigh of relief, not noticing of the claws (or sudden lack thereof). She wipes a long-fingered hand on a clean patch of her cloak and places it on the girl's shoulder comfortingly.
"Don't you worry, child. You're with family now, as cobbled together and temporary as it may be. We will all look after each other and that includes you." She gives the warmest smile she can muster while soaked in gore.
Looking to Nikita she says, "If our presence is known and we have an invitation, not entering would seem rude as well as a colossal waste of time. One can't hide while in plain sight, you know. If this gentleman has us spotted from such a vantagepoint, I'm sure he can follow our movements around the yard like a parent watching their children play. Why don't we give up on the skulking about and just go speak with him? There'll be time enough for violence, should it come to it."
Characters currently being ruined on this forum:
Neria Tallfellow (Halfling Rogue) - Curse of the Crimson Throne with Ashen_Age
Nick nack hides behind the taller of the group, keeping behind faila where he feels safer. Looking about at the circumstance… “a meeting on even terms then… should we go in? Or await a greeting?” Nick pokes his head out from behind others as he inquires.
he instinctually begins to move toward the corner of the building, not wanting to be out in the open as two perhaps powerful and potential enemies meet… the tides of history often crush the common folk, and nick nack wasn’t looking for death today.
“Either way we’ll need a rest before we are useful in a dangerous circumstance… rest… hide… negotiate… everyone showed their group efforts with the boggles… thank you all for making it easier to trust each of your motivations today” nick is nervous but speaks quickly, time of the essence.
he looks to see if anyone follows as he darts around the corner for some cover as the carriages arrive.
Ermasnietsz drops the leather briefcase outside the carriage and creeps out of the vehicle. She eagerly listens to everything, observing the expressions of the teammates and taking mental note of the change of their mannerism. Finally, she realizes the fact that she should be concerned about the sudden appearance of the carriages, probably express her concern too. But, before anything else she needs to close the gate and mend the lock in order to bar easy entrance to the perimeter of the house.
"We wait until the carriages show up. I think those carriages are occupied by the townsguards. We're not the only group searching for Esther."
She closes the door of the carriage and fixes the lock using a pair of lodestones (Mending). When she's satisfied with the quality of repaired lock, she will jog towards the gate.
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
Ermasnietsz's Investigation check;
You glance at the notes within the briefcase.
The first item is a small black book containing lists of names, most of which have been crossed out. Quickly looking at some entries you note;
The entries are separated by year and start around 4 years ago. A couple of the entries, however, remain uncrossed; among them is a certain "O'Toole, Eamon", whose status is listed as being "actively monitored".
After that, there appears to be a ledger containing names of ships, shipping routes, the perceived value of the cargo they hold, and embarkment dates. You note that a number of ships have the name Dolan scrawled next to them. The initials FF and MX appear time and again; "MX recovered cargo, 250g," "FF interrogated crew."
Finally, you find an address book listing a number of contacts, where they are based, and what looks like monetary amounts.
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Ermasnietsz - You feel a slight vibration coming from the sending stone within your pocket, a voice enters your mind, Toska's;
"Badly wounded. Found shrine in den. Maud recognised, took over Claude, attacked. Alone now. Spriggan den. Dark, damp, fungi everywhere. Tell Isolde… I forgive her…"
You can tell, even though the message is relayed directly to your mind, that Toska is struggling to get the word out.
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Ermasnietsz collects the small black book and the ledger, then keeps the documents tucked away in a compartment of her backpack. "I received a message from Toska. She's found a shrine inside a den. And... nothing else. Excuse me, I need to go." She hurriedly moves towards the part of the area where she'd spotted Toska and Claude-Maud earlier, abandoning the task at hand immediately.
To Nikita, "I forgot to ask you something. Did your bird find some sort of entrance to a den? It's probably hidden among foliage and fungi, so..."
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
Late-Morning - Day #2 - Prospect
Rustling from above. A curse muttered, then another. Creaking and scuffing sounds. The gaunt man takes hold of the thick ivy located next to the window he was standing by. Moments later he swings out of the window, desperately clinging to the vegetation, cursing aloud. He is hardly nimble. Lowering himself down he makes it most of the way before falling the last few feet to the ground.
Standing in front of you, the man instantly neatens his clothing and draws himself upright. Leaves and mud now decorate his expensive clothing.
"The m-m-meddlers from the C-C-Carnival," he scoffs. His voice is drooling and slippery, forget being born with a silver spoon up a certain appendage, it is clear that this man had an entire cutlery set lodged up there. "I..." he looks around at you all, "have a p-p-proposition."
Moving towards the briefcase Ermasnietsz dropped next to the carriage, the man briefly stops. "Oh, I g-guess introductions are n-n-necessary. B-Brinck, C-C-Casper B-Brinck," he stammers before bending over to pick up his briefcase. "I n-n-need y-you," he says, not making eye contact he rubs his arms vigorously.
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
In response to Ermasnietsz's question first:
"Yes Thumbtack saw a few other buildings. Maybe it's the third or fourth on this list I mentioned earlier? Why, what's happened?
- Ruined greenhouses behind Prospect with large, dangerous-looking plants.
- Small lake behind the house to the left with movement under the surface of the water.
- Small building next to the lake, obscured and partially blocked by overgrowth.
- Ruined building to the right, perhaps a crypt."
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
The instant she sees Brinck swing down, Nikita takes a few quick steps back, taking what cover she can, one hand on her longbow and another ready to cast magic.
Now it begins. Let us see if we survive the next few minutes. And why is he speaking like that, stammering? Sounds like... Reggie Clover did! Has he been drained too?
Quietly to Faila: "Does his stammer remind you of anyone?"
More forcefully to the new arrival: "Casper Brinck. Kidnapper. Murderer. Local heavy in Saltmarsh. Infecting children with those extraplanar slugs. Sedgewick's dog. You need us? The others can speak for themselves, but as far as I'm concerned you have a few seconds to give us a good reason not to end you right now. Do not touch that briefcase, and if you stall, waiting for the other carriages to arrive, you are as good as gone in my eyes."
Nikita's eyes are flashing and the scar on her face stands out in sharp relief. She is on a hair-trigger to attack.
I am done playing nice with demons, real or virtual, be they fiends, humans, or whatever this creature is.
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
Nikita - Casper Brinck shows little emotion at your accusations. He merely opens his hands up, placatingly. "P-p-please. I-its all there, in my b-b-briefcase! T-t-they'll kill me. T-t-they are c-c-coming! We m-m-must act f-f-fast!" At this point, his scratching becomes more pronounced.
"S-S-Sedgewick, w-w-whatevers l-left of h-him is in t-t-there," he points at Prospect house, "I h-h-have a k-k-key." Ignoring your commands he quickly picks up the briefcase and walks towards the front of the house and proceeds to unlock the door. "Q-q-quickly! Out of, out of, s-s-sight!"
Brinck moves his hand to rub at his forehead. As he rubs parts of his skin begin to flake off. His eyes widen, the look of absolute terror, the look many of the victims of the Sagacitas had in their final moments. "I-its all in here," he says patting his briefcase, "I k-kept n-n-notes. M-m-metic-u-lous-ly. A-a-all I a-a-ask is t-that you s-s-spare m-me."
"Y-you s-saw P-P-Preston's b-body. I h-h-had to. F-f-found out I w-was b-being d-d-dispose of... y-you m-m-mmmust d-deal with S-S-Sedgewick." With that Casper Brinck shakes uncontrollably and lets out an anguished wail. His hands clutch desperately at his stomach. "L-l-little b-b-bastards!" he curses. "Q-q-quickly, y-y-you must f-f-follow m-m-mee!"
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Boyd watches all this unfold with a looks of utter revulsion on his face. He is clearly avoiding the infested man, and the corpses of the man and worm. Still, every once in a while he shoots a look of concern down the road where the coaches are coming from. "I don't like this..." he states warily. "We could still hide and see what's coming. We can take the briefcase and run..."
Just in case the group decides to follow Brinck, Boyd keeps his eyes peeled for traps in the house.
Perception: 7
It takes every bit of restraint Nikita has not to try to put an arrow through the man then and there.
Nikita Insight on whether Brinck is still actually acting on Sedgewick's behalf, leading us into a trap inside the house: 9
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
Huh, Casper needs us…
The change doesn’t come as too much of a shock for nick nack, himself more a dog with his nose to the ground than the detective with pipe in mouth contemplating at this time…
“we have him outnumbered if this IS a trap… but I think we should go with his idea to hide and we can discuss slowly after we are I. Safety and some of you look over his notes…” nick speaks with the group.
”and keep your hands where we can see them” he adds quickly, turning to Casper.
Nikita's Insight check:
Casper Brinck seems genuinely terrified of the people approaching in the carriages. It is clear that he was responsible for implanting the Sagacitas within Preston.
Given his general appearance, his mannerisms, and his snivelling nature, you get the sense that he is likely telling the truth. At no point has he attempted to hide the acts he has committed.
Furthermore, you get the sense that he is finding it very hard to humble himself in any way; he undoubtedly saw it as degrading to ask you for help and would have only done so due to desperation.
When he mentions the name Sedgewick you pick up a micro-expression of contempt; something has caused him to find the man repulsive. It is unlikely to be a trap.
Nick Nack - "N-n-naturally," Brinck mumbles, looking relieved that the party agreed to enter. "We sh-should h-hide. I-i-if that i-is R-R-Rosetta I c-c-could always t-try n-n-nego-tiating with h-her. B-b-but she is h-hired m-m-mmmuscle. A thhh-ug."
Lowering his voice to almost a whisper, Brink continues. "S-S-Sedwick is i-i-inside. B-b-but he h-has ch-ch-changed. B-b-be on h-h-high al-alert." He proceeds to creep inside the house.
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Ermasnietsz rubs the temples and wipes imaginary sweat from her forehead. She scratches the tip of her nose when Nikita repeatedly asks for some sort of explanation, inadvertently displaying all the signs of an anxious person but refusing to express it. "Well, Maud took control of Claude's body and attacked Toska."
She pauses abruptly to observe the expression of the elderly male, Casper Brinck and decides to continue, "Well, I'm the one who influenced her to do so. I realized how powerful she could have been if she had full control. But, I fear that she will start a fire, and the shrine will be reduced to ashes." She closes the door and leans against the surface to prevent the party from leaving the house.
"Toska must be dead by the time we reach the shrine or crypt. Let's focus on the task at hand, I'll deal with the minor inconvenience later."
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 gives Caspar Brinck a wide berth, seeing his scratching and stuttering. Another victim of Sagacitas. She nods vigorously in response to Nikita's question. "He's desperate, too," she says in a whisper. After he speaks, she says, "I believe him. And he's going to die.... really soon." Tears of frustration and terror appear unbidden in her eyes. She doesn't hesitate to follow the group inside the manor, looking around for a place to hide. She also keeps watching Caspar, trying to understand what he wants or is trying to do.
At Erma's revelation about Toska and Maud, she almost tries to run back out of the manor. "Erma, we can't leave them in the hands of a fiend!" she protests, when the clockwork sorcerer blocks the door.
(For Caspar and the manor):
Insight: 10
Perception: 19
Investigation: 5
Nikita registers Ermasnietsz' words about Toska and Claude/Maud, and a small part of her despairs, but she doesn't allow it to come to the surface.
It has started. The dying. As I knew it would.
After an agonizing moment of indecision, she nods briefly at Faila's assessment and decides to follow Casper Brinck into Prospect for now, ready to use her rapier or longbow or a spell at the slightest provocation.
To Brinck: "If that is Rosetta, you say you can negotiate? Are you expecting her or some of your other associates?"
Maybe Rosie Malloy. Or maybe some of the town guard from the western barracks (Kraddok?).
Nikita keeps Thumbtack firmly rooted to her shoulder, but both she and the owl scan for enemies and hazards once inside the house.
Nikita Perception: 18
Thumbtack Perception: 17
Unlike Faila, though she trusts the wild druid youngster more than the strange sorcerer, Nikita doesn't react negatively to Ermasnietsz blocking the door. Better to keep outsiders from seeing inside. Unlikely we can do anything for Toska now anyway before the carriages come. We have to try to remove Sedgewick from the equation now, before anyone else arrives.
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
"Come now," Meresaa says, attempting to refocus the vocalized concerns. "As they say on airships, 'Don your own parachute before seeing to the straps and buckles of those next to you.' It seems that we've found ourselves in predictably immediate danger. At this moment, there's nothing we can do about Toska and Claud. They understood the danger they were taking on. We'll see what can be done for them once we're safe."
She follows Brinck cautiously, one hand palming one of her explosive pouches, the other fingering the hilt of the dagger concealed in the sleeve of her robe.
Speaking to Casper, she says, "And just how do you think you'd negotiate with Ms. Rosetta? I've heard she's quite brutal and cruel. Doesn't strike me as the type to stop and talk."
Characters currently being ruined on this forum:
Neria Tallfellow (Halfling Rogue) - Curse of the Crimson Throne with Ashen_Age
Ermasnietsz - Confusion crosses Brinck's face as you speak of Toska and the shrine. "Sh-shrine? In P-P-Prospect?" he stammers, "wh-who's it t-to?"
Faila's checks:
Insight
Unrepentant and uncaring for those other than himself. Casper Brinck seems, in this case, to be largely telling the truth about feeling as though he is being cast out of the Cabal. He seems to have a genuine fear of Sedgewick.
Perception
The manor is in a dilapidated state, to the extent that you believe either the floor, walls, or ceiling could give way at any time; care is required. There are strange fungal growths everywhere, these seem to be relatively new to the property, as though their growth has been expedited in recent days/weeks. You can tell that the house was once a grand place, used to holding all sorts of parties and soirées.
Parts of the walls are crumbling in areas. Poking through seems to be the remnants of a pre-existing wall, as though Prospect was built out of the ruins of a much older building - dating back centuries.
Investigation
The fungi and strange flora look oddly appetising and pretty. Perhaps you could make a nice tea or a soup. Who knows? They may not be poisonous at all.
Nikita - "G-G-Gods, yes!" Brinck says, clearly exasperated. "D-d-d-don't you know w-what I h-h-hold? I-its all o-our d-d-dealings, o-of the S-S-San-guine C-C-Cabal, st-stemming b-b-back y-y-years!" Once more he scratches absent-mindedly at his brow and arms. "Kr-Kra-ddok, n-no, h-he's n-n-not one o-of ours," Brinck is almost hypoventilating now, "M-M-Molloy? U-un-like-ly. R-R-Ros-etta? C-certainly. A-a-along w-w-with her c-crew!"
"R-R-Rosetta m-m-might w-want out. Sh-she has n-n-nothing to l-lose, her rep-rep-reputation is al-ready in t-tat-ters. P-p-pay h-her en-enough an' she'll s-switch." Brinck seems sure about his assertion. "S-S-Sedge-wick h-h-has ch-ch-changed," he says once more, beginning to shake uncontrollably. "M-m-mouths e-everywhere... L-l-little o-ones. H-h-hes a m-m-monster! H-he's h-h-here. D-d-deeper in th-the h-h-house. I-I-I h-had hoped t-to pl-pl-plead w-with h-h-him. L-l-look w-w-what h-h-he has d-done t-to me!" He rolls up his sleeves to reveal some of the extents the Sagacitas has had on his body.
"P-p-please. I-I-I'll g-give y-y-you a-anything... M-m-money, p-p-power, p-p-position... a s-s-seat on the C-C-Council? I c-c-can arrange it," he shoots you a brief smile before letting out a desperate howl of pain.
Nikita & Thumbtack's checks:
Ivy, vines, and fungi cover the interior of the manor house; the vegetation pokes through cracks in the walls, floor, and ceiling. Thumbtack seems weary of some of the plant life here, especially drawing your attention to some of the plants with large venus-flytrap style appendages. Careful, he pleads with you. Though neither of you spots an immediate threat, the hazards are clear.
Meresaa - "M-money," Brinck says simply. "W-w-who d-d-do y-y-you t-think d-d-dealt," he takes a pause but, due to his predicament, decides to continue, "w-w-with all o-of t-the f-f-financial s-side of th-things?" He clutches his briefcase, hugging it closely. "G-g-given S-S-Sedge-wick's c-c-current s-s-state, R-R-Ros-et-ta is m-more l-likely to g-get p-paid i-if I-I-I'm a-a-alive. I-I j-just n-n-need b-back-u-up. I-in c-case t-things t-t-trans-pire a-as y-you s-say."
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)