Ghosts of Saltmarsh (cbaer8) - Campaign Thread

Gerrard:

Looking at the dwarf with a somber expression, Gerrard says, “One would think so, Brother Fiercehammer, but my eyes have been opened wide during our visit here.  The guard serves my family and protects those with money or connections, but murder of the poor and forgotten doesn’t even rate a cursory investigation.”

There it was—guilt.  On behalf of his family, and of his own for not seeing it when he lived here earlier.  “If the rat folk are smart and only murder those seen as unimportant, they likely won’t run afoul of the law here.  I’m afraid I don’t know any of the guard assigned to the low town—before now, I spent my time with nobility and those that cater to our whims, not anyone who patrolled the low town.”

Pondering their situation, he adds, “Perhaps I should follow your lead and move in disguise, if we can fashion one.”

Gerrard:

The young noble tries to remember what he learned about Wererats in his studies…

History:  6

Kei 

"Now you're talking my language." Kei perks up at Gerrard's mention of disguises. "I almost take offence that you think I couldn't help you out there my friend." He rummages through his pack and pulls out a neatly wrapped indescript parcel. He hands it to Gerrard. "It's served me well. I could tell some tales of the trouble I've gotten out of, and into, with its help." He grins at the memories. 

The talk of "wererats" and "ratmen" and full moons means nothing to Gerrard, whose studies tended to focus on more noble and exotic monsters of high mountains and deep seas, rather than alleys and trash heaps.

(What's your plan then - into the alleys in the old neighborhood where Peri and Kei went skulking? With disguises?)

(Gerrard is waiting for Dwal’s wisdom on the matter, as the dwarf introduced the matter, but he would follow the others to the sewers once he is properly disguised—and possibly equipped with any special items needed to do battle with the lycanthropes).

Gerrard:

“We have little time to waste.  We should prepare to leave in the morning for Abbey Isle, so that gives us this afternoon and this evening to deal with the murdering rats.  Do we need anything particular to destroy them?” asks Gerrard.

Starting to write a few letters, he says, “Master Kei, let me compose a few letters while you prepare my disguise, then you can lead us to the appropriate section of the sewers.”

Dwal strokes his beard.
"This may take more than an evenin' jaunt." he tells the others. 
Dwal will study a little and look through a book. Not that he has books on such matters, it's just his way to stimulate his brain and try and figure things out.

Arcane roll: 16

The roll is to see if he can recall anything about wererats and any vulnerabilities they might have.

Gerrard:

”True enough, Brother Fiercehammer, but we should do what we can before we have to leave…and we could stay a bit longer if necessary—I doubt our aged friend in the tower will be concerned about a day here or there as long as we free him soon,” replies Gerrard.  He adds, “I feel responsible on behalf of the Feldren family for the crimes here which have gone unaddressed.”

Dwal is a bit puzzled. "Yer more beholdin' ta a stranger in a tower than those folk that provides yer kin, and you when ya was growing' up, with service and gold? I'm sorry lad, but I think this would take tha' forefront of my efforts if'n I was you." Dwal tells Gerrard. "But, ya lead this merry little band so, if'n you decide we go, then we do." 

Arcane roll: 16
The roll is to see if he can recall anything about wererats and any vulnerabilities they might have.

Dwal flips idly through his book as he ponders the situation. He is well-versed in the old tales of the effectiveness of silvered weapons against creatures suffering from lycanthropy, although he has no first-hand experience with either. He also has heard that the bite of such a creature can sometimes spread the affliction.

An interrupting knock on the door yields a hotel footman offering fresh pastries.

Kei 

Opening the disguise kit, Kei produces an ounce of what appears to be horse hair followed by several non descript bottles and a yellowing cloth. "Ready when you are Gerr....um, Franco. Yeah, that's who you'll be. Franco Silverleaf. An old man I used to know in the Styes. Probably dead by now, so shouldn't be anyone that'll recognise the name."

He mixes the contents of two of the bottles and waits for Gerrard to take a seat in front of him.

Disguise Kit 10

Gerrard:

     "Me, the leader?" asks Gerrard, shocked, looking around for Peri, "Ah, where is Master Fenwader?"

    "Brother Fiercehammer, I rely on you for wisdom in these matters.  We have given our word to help the man in the tower and to drive the sea devils from the lizardfolk's home, and yes, there is a timetable to consider.  For this reason and because I am concerned my continued presence in Seaton may provoke more unwanted royal attention, I am ready to get on with it.  Add to this the fact that the sea devils attacked Esmerelda's ship and killed many in her household, and I am resolved to take the battle to them as soon as may be," Gerrard states, getting more forceful as he goes.

"But you speak wisdom as well.  I cannot let my own impatience and desire to do good elsewhere blind me to the problems going on in the here and now.  Let us investigate tonight to the best of our ability, then decide on the morrow what our best path forward is--remaining here and continuing the investigation, or moving on," he continues, weighing their options carefully in his mind.

When the disguise is done, he recalls his time actually spent as an older man due to the ghost's horrific appearance and affects the same mannerisms that came naturally to him then, saying, "Eh, the name's Franco, nice ta meet ya...Shall we be on our way ta the sewers now?"

Gerrard is transformed into a man who looks rather like Gerrard but with a funny yellow mustache and some brownish blush. But it might pass from a distance. 

Peri takes some pastries and shoos away the hotel staff.

Dwal shakes his head.

"Once we get out of here and find an alley I'll use me magix ta help make ya look less like you," Dwal tells Gerrard. "Being dirty an' actin' like a beggar should cause folk ta turn away from ya if need be."
"As fer the ratmen. If'n they are lycanthropes then if they bite ya, they turn ya into one of 'em. An' silver weapons is what ya need ta fight 'em, if that's yer mind." 

Gerrard:

”Understood, silver it is, then,” replies Gerrard.  “I expect if the Wererats are the ones murdering the folk of the lower city, we will indeed come to blows, and quickly at that.”

Gerrard considers what weapon smiths or shops might be about, especially those who might deal with specialized or silver weapons.

OOC:  Does his Moon-Touched Rapier count as silver or anything useful here?  At least as far as he knows?

(The rapier is a magic weapon, although it's not silvered. Gerrard knows at least one weaponsmith which can handle silvering, and is not also directly connected to the Feldrens. A place known as Dewey's, on the southeast side of town.)

Kei 

The talk of these lycanthropes gives Kei pause to think back on what he's gleaned over the years.

Arcana 11

Gerrard:

Pulling out the ornate mirror he has been carrying around to eventually give to Esmerelda, Gerrard looks at himself…”Maybe we hold off on the disguise until we hit the sewers, Master Kei,” he suggests gently, able to easily identify himself from his own reflection.

”C’mon gents, let’s head down to Dewey’s and see what blades he has available—he is known to work with silver,” adds Gerrard, preparing to head out.

Kei has heard plenty of tales of wererats - such lycanthropes are not uncommon in The Styes where he is from. He knows that they can shape-change from humanoids into large rats, as well as rat-human hybrids; but otherwise, he knows little more than Dwal as to their vulnerabilities.

The party prepares to head out to the weaponsmith. Peri is going to split off and head back to the harbor to check on and prepare the skiff.

There's a commotion outside. A phalanx of guards is running down the hill. A concerned-looking doorman explains, "A sea devil attack in the harbor! They've come up into the bay, I guess."

Another doorman offers more pastries.

Gerrard:

“To battle!!” calls Gerrard to his companions as he falls in behind the guards, racing towards the harbor impulsively!