Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh

Just a rainwater puddle.  As soon as Seri’s weight crosses the wet section of balcony a seven foot section of the balcony collapses to the main floor, creating a huge crash and a dust storm.

Dex save DC 12 or fall 10’ taking 5 bludgeoning damage and land prone.

Seri's DC 12 DEX Save:  21 (success)

With an undignified yelp hardly befitting a devotee of the Wave Father, Seri leaps back away from the collapsing balcony to avoid falling to the floor below.

"Ned?" She looks sternly at the messenger.  "Here is the plan.  From now on, WARN ME if I am about to tread somewhere you do not think is safe."

Esme would eventually collect herself enough to stand again, giving Darixa a quick embrace of gratitude, then being ready to follow along as the team resume the investigation of the house, although she is more quiet than earlier, only hoping to return to town as soon as the mission is completed. 

     Cook whirls at the sound of splintering wood and crashing debris. For one terrible instant his heart leaps into his throat.

     “Seri!”

     Without thinking, he lunges forward. The reaction is immediate. Instinctive. Pack first. Always.

     He covers several strides before the rest of his mind catches up with what his eyes are seeing. Seri isn't falling. She's moving but not falling - springing backward with a grace Cook envied, landing clear of the collapsing floor before it can claim her.

     Cook slows to a stop, the surge of alarm draining away almost as quickly as it came. Mostly. He lets out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. Then he catches Seri turning her irritation toward Ned.

     A small smirk tugs at the corner of his mouth. Attagirl, he thinks to himself.

     “Perhaps Dan can lead the way?” Cook suggests, gesturing toward the prisoner. “Seems only fair, it is his home…”

     His grin widens slightly. “Then the rest of us can be careful to step exactly where he does.”

“If you want me to guide you safely we need to return the way we came through the kitchen to the stairs and avoid this balcony.”  Ned looks at Cook for the okay to lead the way.

Darixa finally managed to catch up just about the time the portion of the balcony collapsed beneath Seri. Although not close, she still backs up a bit in surprise at the sudden event.

She glances from the elf to Cook. "You alright?" she asks first. She follows it with, "Why did you two just go charging on ahead? Ned's been telling you to go the other way. I think we should listen. Let him lead!"

Seri dusts herself off and briefly hugs Cook's arm (if the big man allows) for his obvious concern.  A gesture somewhat spoiled by Ripple's impassive glance, the osprey, who had briefly taken wing during Seri's near fall, having settled back to a perch on her shoulder already.

"You are right Darixa, I should not have gone ahead in what I now see was clearly not the path Ned intended, though in my defense, that was unclear to me at the time.  Now that he has spelled it out, and in retrospect," (she points at the collapsed balcony), "I think I understand."

"So, I suppose we just follow Ned back down and to the other set of stairs.  If we choose, we can explore the rooms on this western side later?"

Seri looks to Esme briefly, concerned that the encounter with the blood-sucking bat-like creatures has (understandably) discouraged the Rhenee woman.  "I can be in the front, just after Ned.  Cook, perhaps you guard our rear?  The rest of you stay between us to reduce risk."

If there is agreement, she follows carefully behind Ned as he leads, murmuring as she often does for Procan's guidance.

Darixa motions for Ned, and then Seri, to lead the way. 

Map

This room appears to be another dirty, decaying bedroom without furniture. Even viewed from the doorway, it’s evident that the floor in here does not look safe; some of the floorboards are missing, and others are partially dislodged. 

Ned makes a point to walk with his right hand on the wall as he walks to the window…

The young Rhenee merely nods at Seri and stays back as the team pushes forward, glancing around as she slowly but surely composes herself further, noticing the house would need major repairs before being used again, it seemed like Brynn had her work cut out for her she thought with a hint of a smile.