Ghosts of Saltmarsh (cbaer8) - Campaign Thread

The wet mastiff in the alley chuffs, then rises up on its hind legs. In a brief moment, it smoothly transforms into a blue-skinned, purple-haired humanoid with wet skin.

The strange figure approaches the hotel doorway and locks eyes with Dwal. “Forgive the sudden and unusual intrusion, but I do not have many choices right now. And may I venture that you also may not…” Her eyes dart to the Triton. “Might we convene somewhere quiet and discuss some urgent matters? Much as I hate to admit it, I need help. I have learned things that require immediate attention.”

The doorman looks nervous and quietly signals a colleague for backup.

Dwal's eyes widen as the mastiff transforms into a blue-skinned humanoid. 
"There comin' out of tha woodwork," he says. "Well, if'n ya got somethin' ta tell, then ya might as well come in an' have a say. But, if ya have any foul intent ya might wanna rethink it. I an' me friends have had our share of it an' ye'll be dealt with accordingly."
With that Dwal will motion the newcomer inside.
"He's with me 'till he ain't."  he tells the doorman. 

Gerrard:

"And he's with me," adds the young noble with a smile, nodding towards Dwal and motioning for the doorman to stand down.  "We are very thankful for the Seaton Hotel's well-earned reputation for discretion--pray give us a few uninterrupted moments and send in no servants until we call," he adds, walking in with the rest of them.  If Dwal is satisfied with bringing them up to the rooms, Gerrard is okay with it too...but his relaxed stride reveals to the astute observer that the warrior is ready for combat at a moment's notice should these new visitors prove false.

“No foul intent, and I am not to blame for my current soggy, if not foul appearance,” she says in reply, hoisting a pack and kicking her shoes at the street to knock off any droplets of water or grease on herself.

You see a shorter-to-medium height light-blue-skinned woman, with blue hair, who otherwise could pass for human. Her expression is oddly calm and serene and unworried for someone who finds herself in such odd and risky circumstances. She follows them inside, nodding at the footman.

As they traverse the alleyways, the triton sticks close to the center of the group, throwing numerous glances over their shoulder to ensure nobody is following them. She takes note of the dog, but lets it slide for the moment.

She flinches at the dog's sudden transformation, hand flying to the heavy iron crossbow that hangs from her belt. But then she takes in the blue coloration and general dampness and lets herself relax a bit - another sea-dweller, it seems. She nods at the woman's words, then speaks quietly to her in Primordial.

The triton gestures vaguely to the other woman's general messy state.

As they enter the hotel, she simultaneously feels the urge to make herself as small as possible and to stare at everything and everyone in the vicinity. It's obvious she hasn't been somewhere nearly this fancy before, and it's fascinating, but also incredibly intimidating. She shuffles towards the middle of the group again, dutifully following wherever she is led.

Kei 

"I think a drink is in order!" As he passes through the impressive entrance he gestures to the doorman to send a tray with glasses and a bottle of brandy to their room. "After that, you do as his Lordship requested."

As they ascend to their accommodations he turns to Dwal and whispers "Did I hit my head or are we taking an ex-dog and a stranger to our quarters for a chat?" He shakes his head at the thought. 

Mr. Bowler, the manager of the Seaton Hotel, appears. He is an old, bald man wearing a finely-tailored black cape. He directs his attention to Gerrard.
"Good day, Mr. Feldren." He nods to the others. "And distinguished friends."

"Shall I prepare two more rooms? And something to drink?" It is early afternoon.

"What else may we do for you?"

Gerrard:

”Ah, yes, thank you Mister Bowler.  Two additional rooms and some drinks would be most excellent.  A bit of privacy as well,” Gerrard responds, assessing the situation with his friends and the new arrivals.

Dwal shakes his head.

"That ain't gonna do fer a place like this." he says and casts Prestidigitation removing all the water and grease from the newcomer, cleaning and drying them at the same time.
Dwal will then step through and make his way to the room. 

"I ain't sure whats going on," he whispers to Kei. "But fer some reason things keep comin' ta us fer us ta fix and there ain't no accidents." he says with a shrug and continues on. 

Dwal magically cleans the blue dog-woman. But only moments later, her skin and hair take on a wet sheen again (albeit a little less dirty looking.)

Mr. Bowler claps his hands. There is a small whirlwind of activity as additional rooms are prepared, and a raft of drinks and salty snacks served - dried fish and fruit, mostly.

A thin sleet continues to fall outside. Bowler closes the doors of your suite and leaves you to talk in private.

The blue, bedraggled woman nearly flinches when Dwal magically cleans her up. Her hands and forearms flex, and make a clawed gesture, but she calms herself quickly. The party would notice that what was not cleaned up was a faint edge of a black geometric-yet-somehow-organic pattern on her wrists that may or may not continue up slender wrists below her now-clean clothing. She wears simple grey clothing, no armor, and moves with a smooth, calm grace. Her bright hazel eyes move swiftly around the inn, alert and observant. She doesn't seem easily surprised.

When the doors close, she looks around the room and says, "thank you. What is happening in that smoke cloud you were running out of? Perhaps it had something to do with my... abduction."

Gerrard:

"Indeed, an abduction.  This sounds like a story we should hear from its beginning.  First, though, please take your ease--have a drink and some food as you like," Gerrard says with a sweeping gesture towards the refreshments.  "My name is Gerrard," he says, bowing smoothly, then gesturing to Dwal and Kei, "and these are my companions, Brother Dwal Fiercehammer and Master Kei.  We have another associate around somewhere, but he is only found when he wishes to be."

The woman looks around, checking to see if the unnamed associate is elsewhere. Perception: 26

Regardless, she finds a seat, and takes a drink of literally whatever is there, savoring it, and then regularly picks up a morsel of fruit or fish and eats as if she hasn't in a while.

"I am Boko Alcor. Seaton is not where I spend most of my time. But I am familiar enough with it. I was here, and about to leave, and I... do not know how it happened, but I was taken. Woke up wrapped in netting, in a stone, slimy chamber. In town. Kuo toa, working for... something powerful. Can read minds. Wants me to do something. I am not sure I should, but I am keeping my options open because I do not know I have a choice. Ejected me, violently, down a long chute, into the harbor, deep. I came back to the city. Ran into you. What's the chaos? Is it near the temple?"

Boko finds the food and accommodations excellent. This is quite a nice hotel. It does not, however, reveal any additional associates.

There is a polite knock at the door. Opening it reveals a bald hotel porter who apologizes profusely for intruding. He hands a scrap of parchment to Dwal. "A message arrived for you, sir." He shuffles out backward, looking at the floor all the while.

Dwal looks at the note, sighs then asks:
"Just how many feet did ya see floating around in tha water down there?"

“Some bones, no feet really. Lots of goo. It was awful………..why?”

Dwal sighs. 
"'Cause this note is from someone who gave me a bit of information sayin' she is at tha "Temple" and their gonna cut off her foot, unless she gives 'em 50 gold." 

Gerrard:

"A pleasure to meet you Mistress Boko.  An interesting tale you weave--what does this mysterious presence wish you to do?" asks Gerrard curiously with some level of concern.

Insight:  7

At Dwal's discussion of the note, Gerrard says, "Well, I suppose if someone's foot is gangrenous, cutting it off may be the medically correct procedure unless she has the requisite coin to pay for a disease removal...though if the temple in question is anything like Mistress Boko experienced, a more nefarious purpose may be behind in play.  What should we do, Brother Fiercehammer?" 

"It strikes me odd" the dwarves wizard starts "that you fine feet floating in tha bay an' that priests at that temple are the ones hackin' folks feet off. Ya don't suppose their doin' it fer some sort of sacrifice to their God?"

The triton picks at the snacks that are offered while the others speak, mostly sticking to the dried fish - it's familiar, but saltier than she's used to.

"Whatever it is, it isn't right. I've been finding them near-daily at this point, and I don't think these people are submitting to it willingly," she chimes in. Looking over to the new woman, Boko, she explains, "That's what started the whole mess in the harbor. I tried to tell the guards on the docks that their harbor was full of feet and they mistook me for a sahuagin. Idiots."

After a moment, she adds as an afterthought, "I'm Lilyn, by the way."