Ghosts of Saltmarsh (cbaer8) - Campaign Thread

A confused look crosses Dwal's face.

"Are we sure that we are on tha side of tha angels on this one?" he whispers. "If'n there are folks here, doesn't that mean they own this place? If so, was that old man really askin' us ta rob this place or enact some sort of revenge fer him?"

Boko Investigation check: 6

Boko feels confident these are not pirates of the Hold of the Sea Princes. They appear to be cultists of some definition, but there is no slime here (just filth). They seem somewhat isolated and religious in their speech and mannerisms, but the only possible insignia is the odd spiral necklace the woman wears. As for water, there is a half-eaten bowl of stew on the table with a fair amount of liquid within. The floor and walls are fairly dry, although some sleet was tracked in and melted not long ago, and there is a tinge of dampness in the sour air.

Peri:

((Assuming the group would have the sense to move away fro the steps to have this whispered discussion))

"They're either pirates, Xolor's followers, or some other group of roughnecks on an island good folk steer clear of. Doesn't sound like they're pirates -- not with the Sea Princes, anyway -- which is too bad; if they were we could blast 'em straight to the Abyss and be done. They're not much better if they're with Xolor, who, far as I can tell, is workin with gnolls and sahuagin and the like to try to wipe out the decent people of the coast here. They can have all the fair chance they gave to crew of the Winter, I say. If they're some other group it's unlikely they're just a buncha friendly birdwatchers or lookin to press some wildflowers.

If we want to be sure we're not killin anyone who doesn't need it, we can try to lure a couple of 'em up here and ambush 'em. I heard 'em grumblin over food. Kei: can you still summon up that familiar of yours? If you can make it look like a fat, juicy piglet and have it snuffle around the door one or two might come up for a chance at a good meal. We can get 'em chasin it into those bushes over there and jump 'em where they can't yell for help, then we can ask 'em what we need to know."

Dwal looks at their surroundings then to the group.|
"If'n they're hunger an' grumblin' a tasty pig will bring all of 'em out ta make a play fer tha free meal, I say."

Dwal pauses for a minute.
"We don't wanna go to them. We wanna have 'em come ta us." he whispers. "I say we back out, take up positions an' I go ta tha entrance and bring 'em to us." 
Dwal smiles slightly at the last part.

Gerrard:

”Well-said, both of you.  They are likely cultists of Xolor or their mercenaries, but we don’t know for sure.  Just like the run-down building with the Kuo-Toa and Ratfolk, I’d rather figure out who we are dealing with first, but if they attack us, we will defend ourselves.  Let me stay up here in the shadows and hopefully we can lure someone out and question him,” responds Gerrard, joining the whispered conversation to the side of the top of the stairs.

”If they turn out to be on the up-and-up, perhaps we can work out a deal for the tower globe item,” he adds hopefully.

Boko nods, and prepares herself to swiftly hit whoever or whatever is enticed to check out a distraction.

Peri:

Nodding to Dwal, "Yeah, we only want one or two to come out, and we gotta be far enough away that our ambush won't be heard by the ones down below. What's your plan for gettin' a couple to come up alone?" Once they hear out Dwal's plan Peri will find a place to hide 15 to be ready to spring out on their hopefully unsuspecting quarry. While he waits he will pull out the vial of venom and consider it. Nah, if we're only tacklin a couple of 'em I should wait to use this for the main fight. He tucks it back into his belt.

There are plenty of immediate hiding spots in the ashy ruins - crumbling foundation walls, behind the larger piles of debris, etc. The sleet and snow on the ground might be a giveaway in the long term, however, as you are leaving a lot of tracks. But your footprints would likely not be immediately noticed by any but the most perceptive or suspicious.

Dwal makes his way away from the door and stands in the open. He looks at Peri.
"Wasn't too elaborate of a plan. I was gonna ta cover tha place with fog then call 'em out." Dwal says with a shrug. "Maybe call to 'em a bit ta make 'em more interested ta come out." 

Kei 

"Save your spells Fogbeard. If we go with the fog ruse, let me cover the place with the help of music."" He hefts his cittern in the air. The original members of the gang recall it's magical abilities. "I fear we may need as much healing as you can spare if this goes to sh.....goes sideways." 

Peri:

Peri cocks an eyebrow at Dwal, not sure if he's pulling his leg. "So your plan, facin an unknown number of enemies, of unknown strength, was to just announce ourselves?" He shakes his head in disbelief. "There's a reason you don't hear talk of 'dwarven cunning' any more'n you hear of 'elvish humility'. We need to get the drop on this lot, cuz the last thing in the world I want is a fair fight, especially with a group that's not so honorable as dwarves. Blue, why don't you see what you and Kei can put together to get one or two of 'em out here. We'll hide over here, away from the steps in case there's any noise." He stalks back to his hidden place, muttering about dwarves! and callin' 'em out!?

(Credits: Exterior map adapted from one prepared by Chris Burson; interior map adapted from one prepared by Hooded Kobold.)

"There seems ta be a lot of gripe'n and insult'n of late." Dwal says.

Dwal strokes his beard and seems to be pondering his next actions as he eyes the door.

Gerrard:

Staying out of the way and hidden around the corner, Gerrard says, "Please, lure out one of them as you think best," to Dwal, Kei, and Boko.  He smiles slightly, happy that everyone seems to be working together well, insults notwithstanding.

Dark clouds continue to thicken in the east. The gloom deepens, as the low, hidden sun must somewhere be preparing to set. A cold, harsh wind whips across the barren, sleet-covered landscape. The island is still; nothing stirs at the bottom of the cellar stairs, nor above.

Peri and Gerrard look to Dwal, Kei, and Boko to prepare the lure.

Everyone should roll a Stealth check if they wish to hide. (You may have advantage on the roll, as you seem to have plenty of time to prepare a good spot.) If you have a specific place you want to hide, please describe it.

Gerrard:

Carefully picking his way across the crumbled stonework to the southwest, Gerrard finds a reasonably dense pile of rubble to hide behind, preferably one tall or supported by a pillar so he doesn’t have to crouch too much.

Stealth with Advantage:  21

Dwal looks around a bit, seeing no one is making any action, he will nod his head.

"I see ya want ta complain but no one wants ta make tha first move." he tells the party.

Dwal will take up a position where he can see the door and get some cover, within 25 ft. of the door. Dwal will cast Thaumaturgy and cause the door to slam wide open, providing it is not locked. 

Stealth: 16

Peri:

Peri finds a spot to hide a few feet from Gerard's position and crouches down, ready to attack whoever comes out of the basement. Stealth 19  When he hears the door bang open he groans to himself.

The door bangs open with the scream of wood against stone. It wasn't locked, but the ill-fitting, swollen door was more than a little sticky in its frame.

Boko stealth: 15
Kei stealth: 12

The beefy spearman bounds up the stairs much faster than you might have expected. He wears well-worn studded leather and wields his spear in one hand, and his thick, battered shield in the other. He is clearly ready for combat as he scans his surroundings for danger.
Ogmund perception: 11

A beat later the woman arrives, still clutching a hand of cards. You see her mutter and cast a quick spell. She, too, examines her surroundings with alarm.
Card Woman perception: 17

The boy does not appear.

The pair stands at the top of the old stairwell. You are all about 15-20 feet away, and remain well-hidden from sight.

Dwal will cast Minor Illusion to create the sound of stumbling footfalls in a direction away from where most the party is hiding.