Captain Blackhand:  Wanting all of this over with so he can get back to his drinking, Beric makes toward the door in a flourish. Looking back over his shoulder, he says, "I ain't waitin' 'til tomorrow... I'll be hungover by then, fer sure!"

Holding the door open for the others, he continues, "The old badger was runnin' fer his life and the ground is soft 'ere. Elias can follow his trail easy 'nough. All Elves be good at trackin'! Ever'body knows that!"

(OOC: Elias has +7 to Survival checks on the Coast. Also, if someone else is also Proficient in Survival, they can give Elias Advantage on the roll with the Help action.)

Beric, give a survival check

Captain Blackhand: Exiting the Tavern, Beric glances down at the ground himself, looking for the deeper and wider impressions made by a man running.

Survival: 17

Reginald of Neverwinter

OOC: Reginald is proficient in Survival and will help look for tracks to give Beric advantage.

Finishing his food and drink, Reg follows Beric out to see what is going on...a bit more information on what they might be facing would be good—and maybe even impress Captain Fireborn...

Though not a trained tracker, Beric's former adventurers in pirating has seen him following trails and directions to treasure hordes and such. Outside of the tavern, a large streak in the mud from Eustal's sudden stop shows the beginning of his trail. The heavy footfalls lead around the tavern and through a field before heading east along the coastal cliff. It is easy to see he was funning rapidly due to the deep and widespread footprints being left. The trail continues until you come to a rocky path that leads along a coastal cliff leading up a hill. 

At the top of the path, the group finds an old dilapidated house at the top of the hill. The decrepit house sits on the highest ground in the area. Around it, a stone wall has crumbled in many places, exposing the interior grounds. An ornate metal gate lies open at the end of the road, swaying slightly in the wind. Wild flora grows throughout the inner yard, but all the years cannot hide the evidence of a well-tended garden that once sat here. Near the house, the rotted wooden roof of a water well rises out of the tall grass.

The heavy footfalls can be seen leading from the gate and down the path you are traveling up.

Captain Blackhand: Giving the Elven Ranger a friendly pat on the back, Beric chuckles and says, "Yo ho! No Elf eyes need this time, matey! Me blind aunt Betty could follow this trail, and I don't even have an aunt!" Laughing much harder than the joke deserved, Blackhand follows the trail with the others.

Upon arriving at the abandon house, the Pirate exclaims, "Aye! Looks haunted to me! Quest complete! Let's go have us a drink to celebrate!"

OoC - given the asynchronous nature of pbp, everyone is welcome to assume Keric would cast Guidance on them to help for ability checks (if that's cool with the DM).  It is a cantrip and, unless it was something underhanded, I wouldn't object.

Keric has his shield slung on his back and the Warhammer across one shoulder.  He eyes the decrepit structure and says, "This doesn't really strike me as a jail...or town, uh, official structure.  Seems an odd place for the town guard to take someone is what I'm trying to say."

With that, he brings his Warhammer down into a steady grip and looks out over the scene.

Shaul

Looking Straight ahead I respond to the captain "No. Not yet. If the words of the person in the tavern are true then this is a crime against nature and needs to be stopped... in nature there is always something that balances out the ecosystem... Whether it be a treacherous storm or a large animal getting rid of an overpopulation of smaller animals....and today.... it appears that we are that balance."

I start walking up the path

 Elias

Elias looks at the Captain and says "Good job Captain. Are you sure you're a pirate and not a Ranger?"

Elias smiles and follows Shaul up the path.

perception:20

Reginald of Neverwinter

“If this is the structure Eustal fled, perhaps we can find something of use while the trail is still fresh,” remarks Reg, as he equips his shield and draws his sword, striding up the path.

When he is far enough up the path to have the entire structure of the house within 60 feet, Reginald will say another small prayer to enable his Divine Sense again.

Captain Blackhand: Bravely volunteering to defend the rear, Beric draws his bow and says, "I ain't quite got me sea legs yet... err... land legs? So I'm gonna stay back 'ere an' shoot anythin' that moves!" 

Doing his best to remain hidden, the rogue stays in shadow and behind cover when possible as he follows his companions toward the haunted house.

Perception: 8

Stealth: 27

Reyllnn smirks at that last comment. “I can stay back with the good captain, just in case something sneaks up behind us. I’m as much use back here as up there anyways.” 

Stealth: 20

Perception: 16

As Reginald gets within 60 feet of the house, he speaks a prayer and his mind flashes with divine guidance. You get the sense that there is something unnatural there, but due to the limits of the spell, cannot determine for sure what it is. 

Nothing in the outside vicinity gives any undead aura though

Keric shifts the Warhammer to a single hand and hefts the shield off his back.  He whispers a word in a whispy language, casting Guidance on himself as he approached the entrance to the structure.

Perception: 15 + 4

Reginald of Neverwinter

“There is an unnatural presence in this house, though it is hidden from me, likely blocked by the walls of the structure itself. I cannot sense any undead outside here with us hidden in the tall grass, though something could be hiding in that well,” he informs the others.

Continuing, somewhat humbly, Reginald says, ”I fear I am a poor scout, but I can move up and go through the front door easily enough.  Does anyone want to sneak up and investigate before I enter?”

OOC:  Stealth Check, just for fun:  11

OoC - I don't think my post was super clear, Keric is moving towards the entrance of the building with the intent of pausing to listen and then move inside.  Why don't we have Keric and Reginald (and Shaul?) go up together while the ranged folks cover them from a little but away.

Since Elias is up front with Reg he draws his 2 short swords while scouting ahead.

OOC: (he had rolled a perception of 20 in post 51 above} let me know if I need to roll again or something else.