Praxx says "Can you give us any information leading up to the blackout? Even if it is something very small.. Anything might be a clue."

(OOC- Of course he would be asking this question after the others have introduced themselves)

Utar bows his head, "Pleased to meet you all, I am Utar. A lot of the dockworkers in Phlan were concerned about a ghost on the island, is there any truth to this rumours?"

Graxx nods and introduces, "Graxx here.  Appreciate any guidance you can give us."

“Call me Neya.”

“We were told to speak with Quatermaster Igan Sokol. Do you know where we can find him?”

Drazzim nods and introduces himself in a characteristic curt manner.

Shandra looks in her pocket for a set of keys and takes one out of their ring: "Well, I can tell you that the beacon of the lighthouse is magical in nature, so we do not know how to work it. Our quartermaster was the only one that seemed to know its workings, so I suggest that our master's quarters would be a good starting-point to finding out how. Most of the doors in the keep are locked, but I can provide you with a copy of the master key."

Darvag adds: "On the evening that the beacon went out, we heard an unearthly wailing sound. Ever since that evening, all sorts of weird things have been happening. Things falling down without reason, strange knocking sounds, and so on. It has happened everywhere in the keep, but seems to get worse around the the two towers and the lighthouse. We haven't worried too much about it because some of these occurrences always happened in the past, and even though they have become more frequent now, nothing ever gets permanently damaged, nor is anybody ever hurt."

Rorin speaks for the first time: "We haven't seen master Igan in a few days, but that is nothing out of the ordinary. He frequently disappears for long stretches of time, in a tower or another."

Finally, Karst the ferryman adds: "Bah... I'd be more worried about the ghosts in the Moonsea. Books falling from the shelves? I'd take that over ghostly pirates any day of the year!"

Darvag then waves as to encourage the group to start making its way to the manor: "Come, come. Rorin and Karst can finish over here. Shandra and I will show you to your abodes. Unless you want to storm to the lighthouse like those two ill-mannered women."

Neya's and Utar's passive insight skill picks up that in spite of them trying to be helpful, the resident family seems to be thinking about their words a bit before sharing information. This does not strike you as calculated or ill-intended. After all, they just met you...

Graxx steps forward looking to Darvag, "Darvag, this wailing noise.  Would you try your best to imitate the sound?  I would like to see if I have ever heard something like it in the wilderness."

Persuasion:  9

Then if successful History? : 4

OOC:  Well then.. Those high rolls you were looking for are not to be found in this post @Lerus.

"If Igan isn't available, where can we find Sargeant Grim? We had heard the Black Fist stationed him here."

Utar nods, before adding "Anything you could tell us about Grim as well would help."

Looking around at their island surrounding, Utar adds "I can't believe that some Black Fist guards think that being here is a punishment."

OOC I'm trying to ingratiate Utar with them. Not sure of the skill check, maybe persuasion 11

"I believe I would like to take a look around the lighthouse grounds before immediately entering" Praxx says while looking at the party.

"Would anyone like to join me?"

For future use- Investigation- 18

(@Grx: Good start with creatives ideas there, but it looks like RNGesus did not like that.)

The group begins following Darvag and Shandra up a winding path made of stepping stones every couple of feet or so. "I am afraid I am no performer, warrior Graxx. The best I can do for you is to describe it as a high-pitched lady's scream. Perhaps Shandra could..." His wife shakes her head quickly from left to right and then back again "... no.... then that description will have to do it."

Picking on comments by Neya and Utar, Shandra changes subjects: "That is kind of you sir cleric, but we are quite aware out wind-laden piece of rock is far less exciting that the city proper. Guard Sergeant Grim doesn't seem to think so, though. He's been coming back for repeated assignments for a couple of months now and..." Darvag interrupts his wife with a "Shush...", to which Shandra apologizes: "Right. Master Igan doesn't want us to meddle in the affairs of the Black Fist. Perhaps you would be better served if you were to ask the Sergeant directly."

As you come around a small hill in the landscape, you are introduced to Sokol Keep and all of its bygone splendor. The keep dominates Thorn Island, and the large stone structure was certainly originally built for defense. The smaller-than-expected castle looks old and it has obviously been repaired extensively in some areas. Despite its excellent repair it has an abandoned look about it. There are no banners, no guards patrolling its walls, no smoke rising from its chimneys and its gates are closed. A large mansion has replaced almost half of the original structure and nearly all of the wooden outbuildings. The mansion appears to be quite comfortable though not very defensible; with large glass windows instead of arrow-slits, for instance. The open courtyard is empty save for a few practice dummies likely used by the Black Fist guards. Three towers of different sizes surround the Manor-Castle combo, with one of them clearly being re-purposed as a lighthouse many years ago.

"We were planning on taking you to the Manor first, but if you so desire mister Praxx, we can go to the lighthouse instead," Darvag says, trying to accommodate the groups' requests.

"No no no please excuse my ignorance. I was under another assumption. We are very appreciative and would like to go with you to the manor first! By the way I would love to hear your Shandra's singing voice to the tune of my lute." Praxx says as he winks at Shandra.

"Also we do understand the Black Fist can be very secretive but honestly we aren't here to serve them. Yes we can assist where we can but please don't be afraid of talking to us and thinking we are going to rat ANYONE out to the Black Fist. We are a closed group and what happens at Sokol stays in Sokol." Praxx says with his eyebrows raised.

"Any information you can help us with would be greatly appreciated so please don't feel inclined to think you can't speak to us"

Persuasion- 9

(OOC- By the way please don't think I'm making.... ADVANCES... towards these NPCs. I'm not pushing the DM into acting out some sort of vile post lol. I just want these women to feel like they can trust me)

**Edit- And I sure hope this woman is just a dumb ole groundskeeper and 9 is enough

"In addition to Igan's quarters and the lighthouse, may we also investigate the towers as well? The strange activity starting around the same time as the beacon going out seems a strange coincidence."

(OOC: Praxx may know he means not to make advances, but Darvag certainly doesn't...)

Shandra seems surprised by Praxx's request. Darvag, turns a bit defensive: "Shandra is no singer, mister gnome. She has never sung for me before and she will certainly not sing for you." He spits to the side, never breaking eye contact with Praxx.

Shandra then chooses to change subjects once again, that being her own brand of defensiveness: "You misunderstand. Its not that we fear the Black Fist or the Guard Sergeant, although his scales can be quite frightening at first. Rather, we respect Master Igan's friendship with Guard Sergeant Grim. The two of them were often together and would engage in long conversations out of earshot of others. Their friendship was a blessing to our often lonely Master. Sergeant Grim seemed a nice enough fellow. He treated us servants with respect and genuinely seemed to like Master Igan."

Darvag finally breaks eye contact with Praxx and looks at Neya instead: "Be my guest, as long as you fix whatever is wrong with our livelihood here." He digs into his pockets and produces two simple-looking iron keys. "The smaller one is for the West Tower, the other for the East Tower. Keys to the Lighthouse are kept by the Black Fist only. Shandra can open locked doors in the Manor upon request, as long as this Praxx stays away from her."

With that, the group arrives at the Manor. The windows are closed with wooden shutters. The outside doors are made of thick oak wooden doors and are all locked, until Shandra open them up for the group to come inside. The groundskeeper and his wife make sure that the main hallways and rooms are well lit by candles and oil-lamps. Shandra welcomes you: "Welcome to Sokol Keep. The first level is where the staff lives and runs the kitchen, dinning room, library, and all other social abodes you may expect. The six of you will can share the first three rooms to the left of the stairs, upon going up to the second level. The third level contains the Lord's suite and a smaller Honor suite, which is the one Master Igan has selected for himself. The Manor is much larger than just the rooms I've mentioned, but most of them are cordoned off. No need to maintain dozens of rooms for just one person and a handful of servants, right?" She smiles sweetly.

Rupert then pipes up "Six? Oh no, lady, I'm not stayin'. I'm here til dusk then I'm headin' home. I'll gladly take a nap on one of those beds you have, but I need to be back for the morning fish."

After Darvag and Shandra stop speaking, Utar steps in.

"Thank you for seeing us to our rooms. Can I ask about what can be found in the east and western towers? If the lighthouse is in the central tower, what was their purpose?"

Graxx would like to scan the room to see if he can spot any servants or staff paying a fair amount of interest in our arrival:

Perception:  19

The next few minutes are spent showing you to your rooms, selecting temporary roommates, and getting settled. Each of the three available rooms is furnished with one large bed and one smaller bed, although both sizes would comfortably fit a large human adult. There are plenty of furniture available for temporary storage, mirrors, basins and washcloths, reading desks, a selection of books, and candles aplenty. One of the rooms has its walls painted in a tan color, while the other two make use of wallpaper (one depicting birds and the other the coat of arms of the Sokol House in a repeated fashion). 

Shandra offers to bring some food up to the rooms to make sure you are all comfortable and sets off to do just that. Darvag stays behind to sees the conversation to a satisfying end: "When the entire Sokol Family was still here, the East and West towers were used for defense. The House's soldiers and guards were stationed there. Nowadays, they are simply used for storage. As far as I know Master Igan is the only one who still goes inside them, surely looking for some wrapped old painting or general supplies to redecorate his chambers. He seems to do that quite a bit."

While this is happening, Rupert the fisherman picks one of the rooms (bird wallpaper) with the delight of a young boy long gone in his eyes: "I have never slept in a bed like this! One of yous will have to take the small bed. Haha!" Rupert settles on the large bed and begins to nap. Graxx takes some time to look around and notices that there does not seem to be any other servants in the manor. As far as he can tell, Darvag, Shandra, and their son Rorin are it, apart from the weekly visit of Karst the ferryman and his supplies. Based on what your heard, it is fair to assume the Black Fist has a small squad in the island, likely based at the Lighthouse itself.

It is now mid-afternoon. Please pick your sleeping arrangements and decide what to do next.

"Praxx, come stay with me.  Gotta make sure you don't sneak off an try to mate with something."

Graxx will unconsciously be drawn to the Coat of Arms wallpaper and will begin to walk into that room.

Graxx will turn to the rest.

"I say at first light we make for the West Tower to see what we can find.  Any other thoughts?"

Graxx will wait for a response.  After the group has retired for the evening Graxx will look through the selection of books using candlelight for any interesting pictures before sleeping.

Investigation:  6

Neya puts her belongings on the small bed of the room with tan paint, she thinks that the wallpaper in the other two rooms are a little too distracting. She then returns to the group and responds to Graxx.

"I suppose that's as good as a place to start as any, but I'm thinking more along the lines of searching Igan's quarters. That way, we'll have a better sense of what to look for..."

Utar enters the room with the bird wallpaper and drops his pack by the smaller bed, leaving quietly so as not to disturb Rupert's nap.

"Someone needs to speak to Sergeant Grim as well. We need access to the lighthouse if we're going to restart the thing."