“I personally would like to report back to Saltmarsh. I need a new blade and would certainly like to distribute an initial wage to our crew; keep moral high. Someone may have information on the goings on at Bale keep here also or a vested interest in finding out more. I am of course only a tie breaker if the interest is to deal with whatever is happening here, I truly don’t want any innocent elves captured for any reason.”
Eron tries to relax his muscles, having been tense since leaving their initial exchange, secretly prepared for violence at a moments notice was taxing his nerves more then he’d like to admit.
"I have no problem returning to Saltmarsh to regroup. Though since we are here and do have some good scouts, I wonder if we move the ship out of sight of the Keep, and let our familiars, especially Zzsplorff keep an eye on the keep for the rest of the day? They are waiting for someone or something to show up, perhaps we'll at least get to see who or what it is while we are here? It may shed some light on the situation.
"I have no strong opinion here. Would it be okay for you to go along with what Fane suggested? We could come up with nothing but we're only talking about the rest of the day."Arlynn asks their captain.
“Oh, yes of course! Please be at ease I’m more a simple soldier than anything. We are equals and friends here, lord knows you’ve got more years of experience than me, like I said I’ll simply be a tie breaker when it’s called for. Fane’s suggestion is actually perfect, yes.”
Eron takes a few big breathes and steps out on the deck looking around, seeing everyone looking busy is a calming sight.
"Are you okay Eron? You can share if you're not." The blue-haired half-elf says as she quickly steps after their captain, briefly placing a friendly reassuring hand on his shoulder.
[Since they will be far out of range, what instructions will Fane and Arlynn give to their familiars for those overnight scouting expedition?]
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
“I’m… I just need to be busy. I keep remembering things. You and Fane are very gracious, I mean you both are so talented and capable… the members of my unit we, well I thought the world of them.
Remember when we met you told me things weren’t always black and white? I’ve been told that before, you understood me pretty well right from the start. Please don’t ever hesitate to share your thoughts with me. I greatly value your insight.”
Eron calms and looks out at the sea and sky, in the moment at peace for a while.
Fane will instruct Leo to keep an eye on the keep from a distance.
She is to fly to the keep, find a spot to watch it, and stay out of sight.
She is to stay at the keep until Noon tomorrow, and then head back to the ship.
We want to know if any one/thing comes to the Keep while she is watching, if so, what is it, how many, how do they get there, are they bringing anything, such as prisoners, large bags, etc.
As Leo flies off, she looks at the others and says, "I think I would like some fish stew. I wonder if there is anymore left. What do you all think of cats? ... I think this ship could use a cat or two? ..."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
The blue-haired half-elf finds herself blushing slightly at Eron's kind compliments. "Personally I don't feel very talented right now, but thanks Eron, you are a great captain to us. When you feel it would be okay I would like to hear about your unit." She says with a small empathic smile. "And don't worry too much about me and Fane, we've all been through worse than facing that bunch up in the keep." She says with a lighter tone.
Zzplorff will be instructed to peek inside the keep again, hoping to find out a little bit more by listening in on conversations and taking a peek where they have not been before, finally taking a look at the monster down the hole but keeping their distance, then returning by noon tomorrow unless there is something urgent to report like if they get a visit or they move out.
The familiar's depart back toward Bale Keep as the Lady Saradie turns its sails to the wind and moves further offshore, keeping generally east in the direction of Saltmarsh.
Tinker grabs Pip when there is a lull in the sailing. "You heard the Lady," he says. "We need some fresh fish."
He spends the next half-hour instructing the young man in use of a contraption on the rear of the ship. It's a coil of spring hanging down, between two boards, with a handle on one end. A length of rope is connected to one end, and a braided fishing line to the end of that. Tinker produces an object that looks like a mass of horsehair and bangles with a large hook in the center, which he ties to the end of the fishing line. Dropping it off the back, the lure disappears, trailing into the back wash behind the ship. Tinker then shows Pip that pulling the handle tenses the line, causing the bait to rise up and skip along the surface behind the ship; releasing the handle lets it sink back down. Pip is then left to practice and work this. It is unproductive for the longest time, until a flurry of shouts from Pip draws attention. The crew finds him pulling the rope in and dragging a small dorado up and onto the deck.
Tinker tuts disappointedly but then smirks. "That'll do, Pip!" he says with a clap on his shoulder. "For a spot of fresh fish stew, that'll do." He then retreats with his prize back to the galley.
[Fane, please make two perception checks for Leo. Arlynn, please make one more perception check and a stealth check (w/advantage) for Zzplorff.]
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
A few hours after noon the next day, the familiars return with their reports.
Fane:
Leo perched atop the weathered stone of Bale Keep’s highest wall, his keen eyes scanning the grounds below. The night air was cool, carrying the scent of brine from the distant sea. Occasionally, he lifted off, silent as a shadow, gliding in slow circles over the keep. Below, the sentries would move with heightened vigilance—torches flicker as dwarves and humans alike patrol the walls, casting wary glances outward. From what Leo had been told before, this is more than their usual caution; the encounter with the party has put them on edge.
No visitors arrive through the night, no secret dealings take place. The only real changes Leo notes are the shifting of the guard and the occasional murmur of voices too distant to hear.
Morning brings more of the same, the denizens of the keep going about their routines, but perhaps with a bit more anxiety. Then at noon, Leo begins his flight back to the ship.
Arlynn:
Drifting unseen through the keep, the strange, amorphous entity listens at firelit gatherings where the mercenaries grumble about the confrontation.
“They should’ve gone over the cliffs,” a red haired and bearded dwarf-woman scoffs, poking at the embers with a dagger. “Would’ve sent a message.”
“And brought more trouble,” another grumbles. “You heard them—someone sent them. Someone watching us.”
“Yeah? And who? How’d they know about the elves?”
A murmur of speculation follows. Some blame rival slavers, others suspect free merchants prying where they don’t belong. A few wonder aloud if it was some test from the Sea Princes; a way to check if they are reliable. But none mention the lizardfolk. None even consider them.
Leaving the campfires behind, Zzplorff drifts toward the courtyard’s central shaft, where rough-hewn stone leads downward into dark, damp tunnels. The deeper it goes, the cooler and heavier the air becomes, thick with moisture and the scent of decay. Then, deep in the darkness, something stirs.
A presence, vast and waiting. Its mind brushes against the familiar’s senses, not with thought, but with something more primal. A whisper, not directed at Zzplorff but simply radiating outward, echoing through the tunnels in a dull, gnawing hunger.
“Feed me.”
A shifting in the shadows. A glisten of something wet and thick. Tendrils move sluggishly against the cavern floor, seeking.
Zzplorff does not linger. Silent and undetected, it retreats, floating back the way it came, up through the keep. In the morning, it returns to Arlynn.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
As her familliar has reported in the next morning, Arlynn would brief Eron and Fane during breakfast. "I admit it is conjecture to some extent from what my little spy picked up last night but I am now fairly certain that the group in the keep are indeed slavers working with the Sea Princes. This would make me less hesitant to deal with them before returning to Saltmarsh, and stop their filthy business here as quickly as possible. I was not sure before but now there's no doubt in my mind those elves are meant to be slaves. That said I'm still prepared to go back to Saltmarsh first if that is what you prefer." She says to her companions, leaving the decision to them.
"Leo saw no one come and go during her watch, but from the way she explained it to me, the Keep is on edge. Probably thrown off from our visit, and with the arrival of their guests very soon. I would vote to deal with the Keep, or perhaps any ship headed to the Keep if we think Lady Saradie is prepared for sea battle?
If we leave now, those Olves could be lost to slavery forever."
Eron listens to the reports, then gathers everyone topside. “We are a very new crew. This issue here at Bale keep may be a slave trafficking operation possibly involving the Sea Princes fleets. Our ship is not yet ready for a skirmish, however… I cannot turn away. I need everyone here to vote. Jory please give and receive a bit of paper from each person. Mark x we stay or leave blank we leave. I will decide our course of action based on the tally.” Eron rips a bit of paper marks x on it hands the paper and scrap to Jory.
[Are you asking for the crew to vote? While dramatically appropriate for the moment, it puts the DM in the awkward position of making the decision for you. How about this... if you want the crew to vote, I'll roll a D6... 1-3 = head back to Saltmarsh, 4-6 = stay and deal with this here and now... somehow.]
Also, Eronplease make a survival check.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Thinking about what you've heard today, you're reminded of some of your ranging into this part of the Hool. The marshes north of Bale Keep are far from your little cabin, but you have been through that area once or twice over the years on some of your longer wanderings.
You recall encountering evidence of a small elvish population in the area. Their location makes them quite isolated out there. You were never able to meet any of them but found clear signs of their presence; subtle marks left for other elves that only your own experience in the wild allowed you to pick up on. These elves never responded to any messages left or attempts to reach them... while you are certain they detected your presence as well as you did theirs, they seemed to have no interest in making acquaintances.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
“I personally would like to report back to Saltmarsh. I need a new blade and would certainly like to distribute an initial wage to our crew; keep moral high. Someone may have information on the goings on at Bale keep here also or a vested interest in finding out more. I am of course only a tie breaker if the interest is to deal with whatever is happening here, I truly don’t want any innocent elves captured for any reason.”
Eron tries to relax his muscles, having been tense since leaving their initial exchange, secretly prepared for violence at a moments notice was taxing his nerves more then he’d like to admit.
"I have no problem returning to Saltmarsh to regroup. Though since we are here and do have some good scouts, I wonder if we move the ship out of sight of the Keep, and let our familiars, especially Zzsplorff keep an eye on the keep for the rest of the day? They are waiting for someone or something to show up, perhaps we'll at least get to see who or what it is while we are here? It may shed some light on the situation.
We can head back to Saltmarsh tomorrow?"
"I have no strong opinion here. Would it be okay for you to go along with what Fane suggested? We could come up with nothing but we're only talking about the rest of the day." Arlynn asks their captain.
“Oh, yes of course! Please be at ease I’m more a simple soldier than anything. We are equals and friends here, lord knows you’ve got more years of experience than me, like I said I’ll simply be a tie breaker when it’s called for. Fane’s suggestion is actually perfect, yes.”
Eron takes a few big breathes and steps out on the deck looking around, seeing everyone looking busy is a calming sight.
"Are you okay Eron? You can share if you're not." The blue-haired half-elf says as she quickly steps after their captain, briefly placing a friendly reassuring hand on his shoulder.
[Since they will be far out of range, what instructions will Fane and Arlynn give to their familiars for those overnight scouting expedition?]
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
“I’m… I just need to be busy. I keep remembering things. You and Fane are very gracious, I mean you both are so talented and capable… the members of my unit we, well I thought the world of them.
Remember when we met you told me things weren’t always black and white? I’ve been told that before, you understood me pretty well right from the start. Please don’t ever hesitate to share your thoughts with me. I greatly value your insight.”
Eron calms and looks out at the sea and sky, in the moment at peace for a while.
Fane will instruct Leo to keep an eye on the keep from a distance.
As Leo flies off, she looks at the others and says, "I think I would like some fish stew. I wonder if there is anymore left. What do you all think of cats? ... I think this ship could use a cat or two? ..."
The blue-haired half-elf finds herself blushing slightly at Eron's kind compliments. "Personally I don't feel very talented right now, but thanks Eron, you are a great captain to us. When you feel it would be okay I would like to hear about your unit." She says with a small empathic smile. "And don't worry too much about me and Fane, we've all been through worse than facing that bunch up in the keep." She says with a lighter tone.
Zzplorff will be instructed to peek inside the keep again, hoping to find out a little bit more by listening in on conversations and taking a peek where they have not been before, finally taking a look at the monster down the hole but keeping their distance, then returning by noon tomorrow unless there is something urgent to report like if they get a visit or they move out.
Zzplorff perception: 8
The familiar's depart back toward Bale Keep as the Lady Saradie turns its sails to the wind and moves further offshore, keeping generally east in the direction of Saltmarsh.
Tinker grabs Pip when there is a lull in the sailing. "You heard the Lady," he says. "We need some fresh fish."
He spends the next half-hour instructing the young man in use of a contraption on the rear of the ship. It's a coil of spring hanging down, between two boards, with a handle on one end. A length of rope is connected to one end, and a braided fishing line to the end of that. Tinker produces an object that looks like a mass of horsehair and bangles with a large hook in the center, which he ties to the end of the fishing line. Dropping it off the back, the lure disappears, trailing into the back wash behind the ship. Tinker then shows Pip that pulling the handle tenses the line, causing the bait to rise up and skip along the surface behind the ship; releasing the handle lets it sink back down. Pip is then left to practice and work this. It is unproductive for the longest time, until a flurry of shouts from Pip draws attention. The crew finds him pulling the rope in and dragging a small dorado up and onto the deck.
Tinker tuts disappointedly but then smirks. "That'll do, Pip!" he says with a clap on his shoulder. "For a spot of fresh fish stew, that'll do." He then retreats with his prize back to the galley.
[Fane, please make two perception checks for Leo. Arlynn, please make one more perception check and a stealth check (w/advantage) for Zzplorff.]
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Leo's Perception: 12 and 14
Zzplorff
Stealth: 8
Perception: 12
Arlynn would withdraw to her cabin to rest and ponder what had happened, ready to react as soon as her familiar reported in.
A few hours after noon the next day, the familiars return with their reports.
Fane:
Leo perched atop the weathered stone of Bale Keep’s highest wall, his keen eyes scanning the grounds below. The night air was cool, carrying the scent of brine from the distant sea. Occasionally, he lifted off, silent as a shadow, gliding in slow circles over the keep. Below, the sentries would move with heightened vigilance—torches flicker as dwarves and humans alike patrol the walls, casting wary glances outward. From what Leo had been told before, this is more than their usual caution; the encounter with the party has put them on edge.
No visitors arrive through the night, no secret dealings take place. The only real changes Leo notes are the shifting of the guard and the occasional murmur of voices too distant to hear.
Morning brings more of the same, the denizens of the keep going about their routines, but perhaps with a bit more anxiety. Then at noon, Leo begins his flight back to the ship.
Arlynn:
Drifting unseen through the keep, the strange, amorphous entity listens at firelit gatherings where the mercenaries grumble about the confrontation.
“They should’ve gone over the cliffs,” a red haired and bearded dwarf-woman scoffs, poking at the embers with a dagger. “Would’ve sent a message.”
“And brought more trouble,” another grumbles. “You heard them—someone sent them. Someone watching us.”
“Yeah? And who? How’d they know about the elves?”
A murmur of speculation follows. Some blame rival slavers, others suspect free merchants prying where they don’t belong. A few wonder aloud if it was some test from the Sea Princes; a way to check if they are reliable. But none mention the lizardfolk. None even consider them.
Leaving the campfires behind, Zzplorff drifts toward the courtyard’s central shaft, where rough-hewn stone leads downward into dark, damp tunnels. The deeper it goes, the cooler and heavier the air becomes, thick with moisture and the scent of decay. Then, deep in the darkness, something stirs.
A presence, vast and waiting. Its mind brushes against the familiar’s senses, not with thought, but with something more primal. A whisper, not directed at Zzplorff but simply radiating outward, echoing through the tunnels in a dull, gnawing hunger.
“Feed me.”
A shifting in the shadows. A glisten of something wet and thick. Tendrils move sluggishly against the cavern floor, seeking.
Zzplorff does not linger. Silent and undetected, it retreats, floating back the way it came, up through the keep. In the morning, it returns to Arlynn.
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
As her familliar has reported in the next morning, Arlynn would brief Eron and Fane during breakfast. "I admit it is conjecture to some extent from what my little spy picked up last night but I am now fairly certain that the group in the keep are indeed slavers working with the Sea Princes. This would make me less hesitant to deal with them before returning to Saltmarsh, and stop their filthy business here as quickly as possible. I was not sure before but now there's no doubt in my mind those elves are meant to be slaves. That said I'm still prepared to go back to Saltmarsh first if that is what you prefer." She says to her companions, leaving the decision to them.
"Leo saw no one come and go during her watch, but from the way she explained it to me, the Keep is on edge. Probably thrown off from our visit, and with the arrival of their guests very soon. I would vote to deal with the Keep, or perhaps any ship headed to the Keep if we think Lady Saradie is prepared for sea battle?
If we leave now, those Olves could be lost to slavery forever."
Eron listens to the reports, then gathers everyone topside. “We are a very new crew. This issue here at Bale keep may be a slave trafficking operation possibly involving the Sea Princes fleets. Our ship is not yet ready for a skirmish, however… I cannot turn away. I need everyone here to vote. Jory please give and receive a bit of paper from each person. Mark x we stay or leave blank we leave. I will decide our course of action based on the tally.” Eron rips a bit of paper marks x on it hands the paper and scrap to Jory.
[Are you asking for the crew to vote? While dramatically appropriate for the moment, it puts the DM in the awkward position of making the decision for you. How about this... if you want the crew to vote, I'll roll a D6... 1-3 = head back to Saltmarsh, 4-6 = stay and deal with this here and now... somehow.]
Also, Eron please make a survival check.
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Eron Survival check 23
Crew vote 4
”Thank you my brave and wonderful crew. We will prepare for an assault immediately.”
Eron:
Thinking about what you've heard today, you're reminded of some of your ranging into this part of the Hool. The marshes north of Bale Keep are far from your little cabin, but you have been through that area once or twice over the years on some of your longer wanderings.
You recall encountering evidence of a small elvish population in the area. Their location makes them quite isolated out there. You were never able to meet any of them but found clear signs of their presence; subtle marks left for other elves that only your own experience in the wild allowed you to pick up on. These elves never responded to any messages left or attempts to reach them... while you are certain they detected your presence as well as you did theirs, they seemed to have no interest in making acquaintances.
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War