Peri leaps around the corner, blazing torch in hand. "All right you bony-- Oh, well done lads!" He looks around, noting the jars of chemicals. Maybe valuable, maybe dangerous, possibly both. Whatever they are, we probably don't need that drunken scut wavin' a torch in here. He heads back out and tells Butter, "Ach, smells like half a ton of dead fish in there! Now that the house is cleared, I guess you have time to check out the wine cellar, eh? Wonder if there are any more unbroken bottles?"
(Not subtle, but Butter doesn't seem too bright -- or sober)
Missy isn't sure what she wants to look at first. Running her eyes over everything in the room not really listening to anyone. Then he eyes alight on the open book and she makes a beeline for it.
Dwal inventories the party's wounds - everyone has been hurt, Qivys perhaps the most seriously by that lucky hit from a skeleton's blade. Nobody is gravely injured, however. Dwal manages to prepare a few simple bandages, ease everyone's pain, and provide some comfort. Oddly, while the bag remains where he deposited it, after finishing with his medical rounds Dwal discovers that the inscribed stone has somehow returned to his pocket.
Butter scowls at this civilian halfling barking orders at him. Nevertheless, Butter remains in the skeletons' room, poking through the rubbish, only peering through the door into the alchemist's dark lab.
Missy examines the book, which lies open on the table. Its title is "Ye Secret of Ye Philosopher’s Stone," no author acknowledged. It looks like it has significant value to the right buyer. It's written in common, but the content is way too esoteric for you to make anything of, without hours of study.
Also on the table, Missy spies a stack of coins, as well as some objects that appear to be made of solid gold: a human skull, an apple, a rose, and a set of five small discs.
Battle won, Qiv takes a knee. With a prayer to his deity he takes a breath and then winces in pain. The wound still bleeding he summons the image of the White Stag to the forefront of his mind. The power flowing from deep within, he heals himself for 1 with Healing Light.
"So I guess we found the alchemist. The amazing thing is, he actually did it. He found out how to turn things to gold. Pity he had to sell his soul to do so."
"I agree brother, we should tend to the fallen. I thank you all for allowing me to finish this quest. Sanbalet and now the crazy scientist. If I could ask one more thing. Would you all do me the honour of escorting my fallen friends back to town?" A deep sincerity in his voice.
Dwal will look at the stone oddly then place it in the bag. He will place the bag over his shoulder then look at the others.
"That is an amazing skill." he says with wonder. "Turn things into gold."
Once everyone is done, Dwal will turn and walk out towards the the outside and the cart.
"Of course I'll help you with this task Qivys." he says. "I'm going to step out and get things ready to go. I don't have any spells to preserve the bodies in this place to keep them becoming undead and I have had my fill of the undead and death for a day." he says solemnly.
Peri will remain in the doorway between the skeleton room and the laboratory, holding his torch in to light the room. To the others he asks, "Any ideas what's in all the bottles on the shelves? Anything dangerous we shouldn't leave behind. Now the haunt's gone kids'll surely start exploring the place, and we don't want 'em meltin' their fingers off." ((Peri would try to investigate, but unless the chemicals were something commonly used aboard ship he'd have no idea what any of them are.))
Seeing the glittering shinies on the table -- and not wanting to let Butter know there are valuables in the room -- he'll tell Dwal, "You should probably gather up those dangerous items,"gesturing at the table, "so no one else," gesturing toward the other room in a way that Butter won't see, "stumbles across 'em. You bringin' the book Missy? I found a couple upstairs you might have a gander at, if you're willin' to join us for a drink or three."
The chemicals are dried up and heavily contaminated with dust and dirt, but the apparatus might be worth something if it was carefully cleaned up.
Gathering up the last of what you choose to gather, the five of you head upstairs and out the front door. The house is very dark and quiet. It is fully dark outside, too - it's early-to-mid evening now. The sleet has stopped, but it is pitch dark and quite cold out. A thin, crusty, patchy snow clings to the ground in places. The horses are huddled together. A biting gusty breeze comes and goes, as the surf booms invisibly below the cliffs.
Missy frowns at the book for a moment, a little put off at the effort she'd need to put in to understand it. It's not that she's not up for the job, she is a wizard after all, studying is kind of their whole thing. But she doesn't really know if she has the time, all theres a little impatient part that that just wants go read it now. She takes the book, the items on the table and puts them in her bag before turning to the others.
"I'm always happy to help with quests! And I would say this one isn't finished till we get your fallen friends back to town." She says to Qivys earnestly, before turning to Peri as they leave the house. "I wouldn't turn down a chance to take a gander at those books! If I'm lucky there might be something useful."
Once outside she glances around surprised, "I didn't realize it was so late... though we did rest a lot. Just as well I've got darkvision! Poor horses though, they don't look happy!"
It's dark, it's cold, and it'll likely be well after midnight by the time you get back to Saltmarsh. But the road home is well-established – you won't get lost. A bigger concern may be what lurks upon it after dark.
Is everyone ready to head back? Did you grab everything you wanted? (Update your inventories!)
The bodies in Butter's cart remain inanimate. He distributes oats to the horses.
Butter, who has patrolled the old coast road between Saltmarsh and Seaton for more than twenty years, is nervous. He's prepared to risk the trip, as he wants to go home to his wife (and has had enough of haunted houses), but he knows enough to understand that a night trip is a very risky venture. Even though it's nearly blinding darkness, he'd prefer no light sources which might attract attention. Knowing Missy has darkvision, he'd prefer she lead the patrol.
The party heads out into the cold darkness. Missy is mounted and leading the group, with Dwal walking and leading his horse beside her. Butter drives the cart nearly blindly with three sets of remains in the back. Qivys is mounted to the side, keeping careful watch. Peri is mounted behind the cart. Peri and Qivys are also tasked with leading each of Seth and Farley's horses as well. Peri can barely see the cart and his horses – it's very dark. A biting breeze gusts occasionally.
About an hour into the journey, while traversing a particularly sandy, rutted section of the old highway, Qivys is the first to spot it... A two-horse carriage – perhaps a merchant's or noble's vehicle – on the edge of the road, listing at a precarious angle. A figure in a hat and coat is leaning into its open door, hunched over, doing something you cannot make out. The party is about sixty feet away.
As you approach a little closer, you see that the gentleman in the hat and coat is holding a human leg - severed below the knee - which he appear to be eating.
You're still a good forty feet away, and you don't smell anything but the salt air. But with your darkvision you can sense that this thing does not quite look or act human, despite its fine dress. It's emaciated, with mottled skin, and it's not wearing any pants. Its movements are jerky and awkward. It doesn't seem to notice you yet, as it seems distracted by its meal.
Dwal
"Well looky here" Dwal says. "This bag is bigger on the inside I think." he holds up the bag. "And this rock's got some arcane symbols."
Dwal places them off to the side for party treasure. He will go around and look at the wounded, seeing what he can do for them.
Medicine: 20
"So, the bandits boarded this up cause they couldn't deal with a few skeletons." Dwal laughs. "Humans."
"So, what next?" he asks. "I'd like to get our dead back to town and properly buried, especially after seeing these things." Dwal says.
"What actually causes the dead to get up and walk around here is a bit unnerving, especially with all the dead folks in this place."
Peri:
Peri leaps around the corner, blazing torch in hand. "All right you bony-- Oh, well done lads!" He looks around, noting the jars of chemicals. Maybe valuable, maybe dangerous, possibly both. Whatever they are, we probably don't need that drunken scut wavin' a torch in here. He heads back out and tells Butter, "Ach, smells like half a ton of dead fish in there! Now that the house is cleared, I guess you have time to check out the wine cellar, eh? Wonder if there are any more unbroken bottles?"
(Not subtle, but Butter doesn't seem too bright -- or sober)
Missy
Missy isn't sure what she wants to look at first. Running her eyes over everything in the room not really listening to anyone. Then he eyes alight on the open book and she makes a beeline for it.
Dwal inventories the party's wounds - everyone has been hurt, Qivys perhaps the most seriously by that lucky hit from a skeleton's blade. Nobody is gravely injured, however. Dwal manages to prepare a few simple bandages, ease everyone's pain, and provide some comfort. Oddly, while the bag remains where he deposited it, after finishing with his medical rounds Dwal discovers that the inscribed stone has somehow returned to his pocket.
Butter scowls at this civilian halfling barking orders at him. Nevertheless, Butter remains in the skeletons' room, poking through the rubbish, only peering through the door into the alchemist's dark lab.
Missy examines the book, which lies open on the table. Its title is "Ye Secret of Ye Philosopher’s Stone," no author acknowledged. It looks like it has significant value to the right buyer. It's written in common, but the content is way too esoteric for you to make anything of, without hours of study.
Also on the table, Missy spies a stack of coins, as well as some objects that appear to be made of solid gold: a human skull, an apple, a rose, and a set of five small discs.
Qivys
Battle won, Qiv takes a knee. With a prayer to his deity he takes a breath and then winces in pain. The wound still bleeding he summons the image of the White Stag to the forefront of his mind. The power flowing from deep within, he heals himself for 1 with Healing Light.
"So I guess we found the alchemist. The amazing thing is, he actually did it. He found out how to turn things to gold. Pity he had to sell his soul to do so."
"I agree brother, we should tend to the fallen. I thank you all for allowing me to finish this quest. Sanbalet and now the crazy scientist. If I could ask one more thing. Would you all do me the honour of escorting my fallen friends back to town?" A deep sincerity in his voice.
Dwal
Dwal will look at the stone oddly then place it in the bag. He will place the bag over his shoulder then look at the others.
"That is an amazing skill." he says with wonder. "Turn things into gold."
Once everyone is done, Dwal will turn and walk out towards the the outside and the cart.
"Of course I'll help you with this task Qivys." he says. "I'm going to step out and get things ready to go. I don't have any spells to preserve the bodies in this place to keep them becoming undead and I have had my fill of the undead and death for a day." he says solemnly.
With that Dwal will head outside.
Peri:
Peri will remain in the doorway between the skeleton room and the laboratory, holding his torch in to light the room. To the others he asks, "Any ideas what's in all the bottles on the shelves? Anything dangerous we shouldn't leave behind. Now the haunt's gone kids'll surely start exploring the place, and we don't want 'em meltin' their fingers off." ((Peri would try to investigate, but unless the chemicals were something commonly used aboard ship he'd have no idea what any of them are.))
Seeing the glittering shinies on the table -- and not wanting to let Butter know there are valuables in the room -- he'll tell Dwal, "You should probably gather up those dangerous items," gesturing at the table, "so no one else," gesturing toward the other room in a way that Butter won't see, "stumbles across 'em. You bringin' the book Missy? I found a couple upstairs you might have a gander at, if you're willin' to join us for a drink or three."
The chemicals are dried up and heavily contaminated with dust and dirt, but the apparatus might be worth something if it was carefully cleaned up.
Gathering up the last of what you choose to gather, the five of you head upstairs and out the front door. The house is very dark and quiet. It is fully dark outside, too - it's early-to-mid evening now. The sleet has stopped, but it is pitch dark and quite cold out. A thin, crusty, patchy snow clings to the ground in places. The horses are huddled together. A biting gusty breeze comes and goes, as the surf booms invisibly below the cliffs.
Missy
Missy frowns at the book for a moment, a little put off at the effort she'd need to put in to understand it. It's not that she's not up for the job, she is a wizard after all, studying is kind of their whole thing. But she doesn't really know if she has the time, all theres a little impatient part that that just wants go read it now. She takes the book, the items on the table and puts them in her bag before turning to the others.
"I'm always happy to help with quests! And I would say this one isn't finished till we get your fallen friends back to town." She says to Qivys earnestly, before turning to Peri as they leave the house. "I wouldn't turn down a chance to take a gander at those books! If I'm lucky there might be something useful."
Once outside she glances around surprised, "I didn't realize it was so late... though we did rest a lot. Just as well I've got darkvision! Poor horses though, they don't look happy!"
It's dark, it's cold, and it'll likely be well after midnight by the time you get back to Saltmarsh. But the road home is well-established – you won't get lost. A bigger concern may be what lurks upon it after dark.
Is everyone ready to head back? Did you grab everything you wanted? (Update your inventories!)
The bodies in Butter's cart remain inanimate. He distributes oats to the horses.
OCC: Did Missy get the bag of holding? if not Dwal will give it to her.
Peri will mount up and -- not having darkvision and knowing a torch isn't going to make it back to town -- will ride along behind the cart.
It's very dark and heavily overcast.
Butter, who has patrolled the old coast road between Saltmarsh and Seaton for more than twenty years, is nervous. He's prepared to risk the trip, as he wants to go home to his wife (and has had enough of haunted houses), but he knows enough to understand that a night trip is a very risky venture. Even though it's nearly blinding darkness, he'd prefer no light sources which might attract attention. Knowing Missy has darkvision, he'd prefer she lead the patrol.
Dwal
Dwal will take a position at the front of the cart and walk along.
Perception: 8
Qivys
With Dwal on point, Qiv will take up a position beside the cart keeping a keen eye.
Perception 19
((I guess he keeps 2 keen eyes. ))
Missy
Missy quite happily accepts the bag of holding from Dwal and take whatever position is needed in the patrol.
The party heads out into the cold darkness. Missy is mounted and leading the group, with Dwal walking and leading his horse beside her. Butter drives the cart nearly blindly with three sets of remains in the back. Qivys is mounted to the side, keeping careful watch. Peri is mounted behind the cart. Peri and Qivys are also tasked with leading each of Seth and Farley's horses as well. Peri can barely see the cart and his horses – it's very dark. A biting breeze gusts occasionally.
About an hour into the journey, while traversing a particularly sandy, rutted section of the old highway, Qivys is the first to spot it... A two-horse carriage – perhaps a merchant's or noble's vehicle – on the edge of the road, listing at a precarious angle. A figure in a hat and coat is leaning into its open door, hunched over, doing something you cannot make out. The party is about sixty feet away.
As you approach a little closer, you see that the gentleman in the hat and coat is holding a human leg - severed below the knee - which he appear to be eating.
Dwal
"All right, That Ain't Good. Not Good At All" Dwal says.
He will pull his hammer and shield, stepping in front at the ready position.
Does he smell anything like, rotting flesh or is this just a cannibal? :P
Perception: 11
You're still a good forty feet away, and you don't smell anything but the salt air. But with your darkvision you can sense that this thing does not quite look or act human, despite its fine dress. It's emaciated, with mottled skin, and it's not wearing any pants. Its movements are jerky and awkward. It doesn't seem to notice you yet, as it seems distracted by its meal.
Peri and Butter can't see anything yet.