Peri rises with the sun, well-rested and with a sense of peaceful calm. His stomach gurgles and he recalls having just the bowl of soup the night before. Indeed, it's been a few days without a proper breakfast, but he has the means to rectify that at hand. He dresses quickly, again admiring the clothes Gerrard had gifted him. Wouldn't've even known clothes could do that if you hadn't left the ship and met that nobleman. One more mark on the plus side. He rolls up his note, then strolls down to the common room, a bit surprised none of his friends are down yet, and orders a breakfast with everything. "Lankus out again? I was hopin' to talk to 'im."
Waking up early and a bit tired, Gerrard is still recovering from the events of the past few days. Getting moving and fixing a quick breakfast, he heads back to his room while munching and starts dumping out the loot found from Abbey island on his bed, trying to count and segregate into equal portions. He sets aside items or gems he can’t readily price and tries to get it all ready by the time the others are ready to move on.
OOC: We have silk and coins and gems from this post, plus a magically locked unopened chest I believe from a later post…
((Yes, there's still the one locked chest -- plus the chest full of hardtack! -- from Post #6215. We never did come up with a plan for how to open it.))
Peri is served a hearty bowl of mincemeat porridge and breakfast ale by the sullen teenage boy who assists Lankus. (As to his absence, "He had family business," the boy explains.) (Peri: Mark off 1GP for bed and board.)
Gerrard divvies up the valuables from the temple. The locked chest remains tightly sealed. He expects Winston, the halfling whose store sits high on the hill near the Temple of Procan, would be a reasonably good fence for silk and gems (outside of Seaton.)
The day began with Lankus napping upright in a wooden chair, but now he is outside the house probing holes in the rocks with his spear.
It is gloomy and icy cold today. The water remains rough, but calmer than yesterday. The beach is awash with empty, weathered crab shells.
Dwal busies himself with a morning of cleaning and organizing. He keeps an eye on the guest, looking for any sign the man will tip over the edge.
"This place drives people mad." he thinks to himself as he works.
Before the meeting, Dwal will make a trip to the mines and make contact with some of the dwarves there. Being a Master Craftsman, Dwal is just reestablishing his contacts with other craftsmen and may drink a pint or two with his fellow dwarves.
Going outside, Gerrard helps Lankus look for any suspicious holes or tracks that might gives clues to what manner of creature or swarm killed poor Armand (Help).
Assuming he finds little, Gerrard says, “Thanks for watching over us last night, Lankus. I’m not sure there is much else we can do here, unless we can find a trail…”
When the others arrive/have breakfast, Gerrard says, “I believe we have business with Winston at his store this morning,” tapping his bag of holding meaningfully. “Does anyone wish to join me?”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
By the time Peri finishes breakfast he' beginning to wonder about the others. One or two may have slept in, but it's unlikely none of them would have shown yet. He inquires and is informed by Lankus's boy that none of them had gotten a room last night. Surely those fools didn't sleep in the houses! Who knows what's infesting the place? He would have assumed that Kei, at least, would have sought out decent accommodations now that coin wasn't an issue. Sighing in bemusement at the folly of people who were usually more reasonable, Peri collects his things and sets off to find them.
The bitingly cold wind does nothing to improve his opinion of the town, nor do the stalls selling the same sad vegetables they always held. As he crosses the river he catches sight of Kester's Leather Goods and remembers wanting to ask her about a custom piece. He doubles back and makes his way down the lane to her shop. (Assuming he finds her there) He greets her and makes some small talk -- "No, we haven't gotten any more interestin' hides. Killed a coupla demon bird things, but they dissolved into goop straight away." After a bit he asks about the piece he had in mind. "I don't know if you've heard," he begins with feigned nonchalance, "but the Kingdom is expecting us to take on a very dangerous, very important mission in the war against the Sea Devils. Probably end up fightin' underwater. I was hopin' maybe you'd have somethin' that'd help out in that regard. I've heard of these magic capes..."
((OOC: Peri is hoping to either buy or commission a cloak of the manta ray. He'll take two if she has them.))
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Boko spends the night resting fitfully, after a wildshape into a ferret, taking circuits through the rat warrens and looking around for anything her scouts missed, coordinating with them as the spell ends.
Perception: 17
She feeds them goodberries and thanks them for their help.
When she wakes up, surprised they have not been attacked by demon marine vampire bats, she grumpily eats another goodberry and, while filled, would not turn up her nose at a warm meal in a warm tavern. She leaves the loot dispersal to others but she will help try to open the locked chest, looking for traps and magic.
OOC: when and how has she been keeping in touch with Luca? She was supposed to link back up to him, prior to her being abducted by Xolor, right? She’d like to talk about everything she has experienced and done and ruined, get any advice or information possible.
Drenched in what seems like an impossible amount of sweat Kei jolts up in his cot. Laboured breathing is all he can manage for the first few moments but as his breath returns he scans the room. Disorientation fades as he realises he is in the same room he lay down in last night. The same room he now called home. But it seemed so. Real. His thoughts drift back to the unwaking sleep of the previous night.
With a trembling hand he reaches behind his head. Gently touching his neck he feels for any lumps. Nothing. Just a dreambyou dolt. Sighing in relief as he shuffles off the bed he stands and shakes the last of the thoughts of his dream fromnhis mind. He makes his way out to the common room to see what was left for breakfast. As he's just about done he overhears Gerrards talk of fencing their loot. With a mouthful of bread he chokes "I'm in."
"It seems ta me that if'n it just were beasts roamin' around killin' folks why would they just stick ta around a place that is, by all what tha guards say, is abandoned fer that most part?"
Dwal asks out loud as he busies himself.
"I ain't no animal expert but I'm thinkin' beasts ruled by their belly wouldn't be hangin' out in a place there ain't folk ta drain their blood out without venturing closer ta where alot of folk live." he continues. "Lankus, you hear tell of things like this happenin' closer ta that town?" he asks.
Lankus proposes preparing poisoned bait, and perhaps a regimen of burning oil thrown down the many holes and burrows along the coast on this edge of town. He answers Dwal's questions as best he can. "There been a few killings out here over the years- people messing about in the water with the crabs, mainly, but some mysterious unnatural deaths like this one, too. Locals don't like this neighborhood. It's had a bad reputation for a long time. These cabins haven't been occupied for decades or longer, except for some squatters, and some of them met bad ends. We should knock that one down" - he points to the unoccupied, vermin-infested cabin next door - "and push the remains - and those ruins, too - into the water. Keep your cabins intact, but you all can stay with me in the inn if you like."
Dwal goes to make contact with the miners. Does he want to go to the mines themselves? (a full day's trip there and back, although you could probably make it back to town in time for the meeting) Or the mine offices on the other side of Saltmarsh, where Copperlocks keeps her office and where distribution and customs paperwork is done? Or the Wicker Goat, where Copperlocks spends a lot of her time in meetings, and where a lot of miners tend to hang out when off-duty in town?
After poking in holes for a bit with Lankus, Gerrard goes up the hill to see Winston about selling silk and gems. Kei tags along.
Peri comes down the hill preparing to return to the cabins, but stops in to see Kester. She keeps no stock of magic items, but might be able to commission some. ("I just need a fresh manta ray, first, and a down payment, second. It'd take a few weeks, minimum.")
Boko examines the locked chest. It is tightly sealed, with no indication of a lock that could be picked. It looks magical. She thinks about visiting Luca, a trip that would require sailing across the bay to the wilds of the peninsula across from Saltmarsh. A 30-minute sail across the bay, if the weather continues to cooperate. She could be back by sunset, easily.
“That sounds like something we might need the council’s approval for,” responds Gerrard to Lankus after his suggestions. “I for one would be willing to go house by house and help cleanse this area in honor of Armand’s memory should you wish it and the council approves it—though the Sahuagin menace are perhaps a greater immediate threat.”
”Excellent, Master Kei and I are off to Winston’s. We’ll get the silk and gems appraised. Anyone have any ideas how to get this chest open?” asks Gerrard, adding to Kei and Boko,, “Let’s stop by the Procan temple on the way to Winston’s to see if Father Brinehald has any ideas on how to unravel the magic locking this chest, unless you have another idea, Mistress Boko.”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
"No, I can't wait for 'em, and hope I won't need one again after this mission. Though, the world bein' the contrarian place that it is, I probably will..."
He thanks Kester and decides to seek the others. Probably committin' us to some other 'noble venture!' But if Kei's with em he might be able to rein in their worst impulses.
Dwal will postpone his trip for another day, though he does feel the need to touch base with fellow dwarves. Instead, he will stay close to the cabin, study and read. If Bjorn's nest is still about he will reclaim it and place it someplace out of the way.
Gerrard and Kei make their way up the bluffs. They receive little help from Brinehald, who's busy preparing for services. His acolytes look over the chest and shrug. "Smash it!" says one, unhelpfully.
Winston is more helpful. He appraises (and will offer) the five bolts of silk at 100gp each ("a rare silk it is!") and the gems at 1000 gp, total. He'll also give you 100gp for the chest, as-is, unopened. ("I'll work on it. Could be diamonds, could be hardtack!") He tries to interest you in a new shipment of toys and noisemakers. He also has a Hat of Disguise for sale at 300gp.
600 gp in coins, 500 gp in silk, and 1000 gp in gems. That’s a total of 2100 gp value for the 5 of us, or 420 gp each. Gerrard suggests we convert the silk to coins and have people take their share in whatever mixture of coins and gems they desire.
He suggests we keep the magical chest for now, hoping the value of its contents will be significantly more than 100 gp, and we hopefully will eventually find someone who can dispel the magic locking it.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
Passing on the hat of disguise, Gerrard takes the coinage from the sale of the silk and the identified gems and splits it evenly in each person’s portion. Handing Kei his portion and keeping us own, Gerrard suggests, “Let’s stop by the house on the way to our next errand and see if the others are there so we can give them their portion.”
OOC: If Boko is with them, Gerrard will give her a portion as well.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
Boko offers to cast dispel magic on the locking mechanism of the chest."Something I have recently picked up."She also sends them into town with a request for 300gp worth of diamonds. "Luca told me about a way that I could pull someone back from death if I am able to get to them before a minute has passed. It needs a lot of diamond, however. Speaking of Luca, I would like to check with them before the council meeting. They have wisdom I do not, and may know more about the horror we freed, Xolor, or any of the other threats we are facing. I would like to take the boat across the bay and back, but if not, I have shift into something that can swim fast and get there myself."
She does so and seeks out Luca, giving an update on everything she has experienced since coming to town. Being abducted, everything she remembers about Xolor, trying to seek out where she was taken, finding the party, what they tried to do, what they actually did. She asks for any information that might be useful, and anything she should prioritize as she tries to right the various wrongs she's listed, rebalance things, and combat the malevolent forces in the area.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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The night passes. Everyone receives the benefits of a long rest. Lankus remains with you, keeping watch. He does not sleep.
But while Peri rests in peaceful comfort, the rest of you have a restless, uncomfortable night of sleep, punctuated by bad dreams and icy drafts.
The grey sky eventually brightens; day has arrived, to everyone's relief.
Tonight is the big Council meeting. But you have a full day ahead. Where to?
Peri:
Peri rises with the sun, well-rested and with a sense of peaceful calm. His stomach gurgles and he recalls having just the bowl of soup the night before. Indeed, it's been a few days without a proper breakfast, but he has the means to rectify that at hand. He dresses quickly, again admiring the clothes Gerrard had gifted him. Wouldn't've even known clothes could do that if you hadn't left the ship and met that nobleman. One more mark on the plus side. He rolls up his note, then strolls down to the common room, a bit surprised none of his friends are down yet, and orders a breakfast with everything. "Lankus out again? I was hopin' to talk to 'im."
Gerrard:
Waking up early and a bit tired, Gerrard is still recovering from the events of the past few days. Getting moving and fixing a quick breakfast, he heads back to his room while munching and starts dumping out the loot found from Abbey island on his bed, trying to count and segregate into equal portions. He sets aside items or gems he can’t readily price and tries to get it all ready by the time the others are ready to move on.
OOC: We have silk and coins and gems from this post, plus a magically locked unopened chest I believe from a later post…
https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/d-d-beyond-general/play-by-post/54005-ghosts-of-saltmarsh-cbaer8-campaign-thread?comment=5988
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
((Yes, there's still the one locked chest -- plus the chest full of hardtack! -- from Post #6215. We never did come up with a plan for how to open it.))
Peri is served a hearty bowl of mincemeat porridge and breakfast ale by the sullen teenage boy who assists Lankus. (As to his absence, "He had family business," the boy explains.) (Peri: Mark off 1GP for bed and board.)
Gerrard divvies up the valuables from the temple. The locked chest remains tightly sealed. He expects Winston, the halfling whose store sits high on the hill near the Temple of Procan, would be a reasonably good fence for silk and gems (outside of Seaton.)
The day began with Lankus napping upright in a wooden chair, but now he is outside the house probing holes in the rocks with his spear.
It is gloomy and icy cold today. The water remains rough, but calmer than yesterday. The beach is awash with empty, weathered crab shells.
Dwal busies himself with a morning of cleaning and organizing. He keeps an eye on the guest, looking for any sign the man will tip over the edge.
"This place drives people mad." he thinks to himself as he works.
Before the meeting, Dwal will make a trip to the mines and make contact with some of the dwarves there. Being a Master Craftsman, Dwal is just reestablishing his contacts with other craftsmen and may drink a pint or two with his fellow dwarves.
Gerrard:
Going outside, Gerrard helps Lankus look for any suspicious holes or tracks that might gives clues to what manner of creature or swarm killed poor Armand (Help).
Assuming he finds little, Gerrard says, “Thanks for watching over us last night, Lankus. I’m not sure there is much else we can do here, unless we can find a trail…”
When the others arrive/have breakfast, Gerrard says, “I believe we have business with Winston at his store this morning,” tapping his bag of holding meaningfully. “Does anyone wish to join me?”
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
Peri:
By the time Peri finishes breakfast he' beginning to wonder about the others. One or two may have slept in, but it's unlikely none of them would have shown yet. He inquires and is informed by Lankus's boy that none of them had gotten a room last night. Surely those fools didn't sleep in the houses! Who knows what's infesting the place? He would have assumed that Kei, at least, would have sought out decent accommodations now that coin wasn't an issue. Sighing in bemusement at the folly of people who were usually more reasonable, Peri collects his things and sets off to find them.
The bitingly cold wind does nothing to improve his opinion of the town, nor do the stalls selling the same sad vegetables they always held. As he crosses the river he catches sight of Kester's Leather Goods and remembers wanting to ask her about a custom piece. He doubles back and makes his way down the lane to her shop. (Assuming he finds her there) He greets her and makes some small talk -- "No, we haven't gotten any more interestin' hides. Killed a coupla demon bird things, but they dissolved into goop straight away." After a bit he asks about the piece he had in mind. "I don't know if you've heard," he begins with feigned nonchalance, "but the Kingdom is expecting us to take on a very dangerous, very important mission in the war against the Sea Devils. Probably end up fightin' underwater. I was hopin' maybe you'd have somethin' that'd help out in that regard. I've heard of these magic capes..."
((OOC: Peri is hoping to either buy or commission a cloak of the manta ray. He'll take two if she has them.))
Boko spends the night resting fitfully, after a wildshape into a ferret, taking circuits through the rat warrens and looking around for anything her scouts missed, coordinating with them as the spell ends.
Perception: 17
She feeds them goodberries and thanks them for their help.
When she wakes up, surprised they have not been attacked by demon marine vampire bats, she grumpily eats another goodberry and, while filled, would not turn up her nose at a warm meal in a warm tavern. She leaves the loot dispersal to others but she will help try to open the locked chest, looking for traps and magic.
OOC: when and how has she been keeping in touch with Luca? She was supposed to link back up to him, prior to her being abducted by Xolor, right? She’d like to talk about everything she has experienced and done and ruined, get any advice or information possible.
Kei
Drenched in what seems like an impossible amount of sweat Kei jolts up in his cot. Laboured breathing is all he can manage for the first few moments but as his breath returns he scans the room. Disorientation fades as he realises he is in the same room he lay down in last night. The same room he now called home. But it seemed so. Real. His thoughts drift back to the unwaking sleep of the previous night.
With a trembling hand he reaches behind his head. Gently touching his neck he feels for any lumps. Nothing. Just a dreambyou dolt. Sighing in relief as he shuffles off the bed he stands and shakes the last of the thoughts of his dream fromnhis mind. He makes his way out to the common room to see what was left for breakfast. As he's just about done he overhears Gerrards talk of fencing their loot. With a mouthful of bread he chokes "I'm in."
"It seems ta me that if'n it just were beasts roamin' around killin' folks why would they just stick ta around a place that is, by all what tha guards say, is abandoned fer that most part?"
Dwal asks out loud as he busies himself.
"I ain't no animal expert but I'm thinkin' beasts ruled by their belly wouldn't be hangin' out in a place there ain't folk ta drain their blood out without venturing closer ta where alot of folk live." he continues. "Lankus, you hear tell of things like this happenin' closer ta that town?" he asks.
Lankus proposes preparing poisoned bait, and perhaps a regimen of burning oil thrown down the many holes and burrows along the coast on this edge of town. He answers Dwal's questions as best he can. "There been a few killings out here over the years- people messing about in the water with the crabs, mainly, but some mysterious unnatural deaths like this one, too. Locals don't like this neighborhood. It's had a bad reputation for a long time. These cabins haven't been occupied for decades or longer, except for some squatters, and some of them met bad ends. We should knock that one down" - he points to the unoccupied, vermin-infested cabin next door - "and push the remains - and those ruins, too - into the water. Keep your cabins intact, but you all can stay with me in the inn if you like."
Dwal goes to make contact with the miners. Does he want to go to the mines themselves? (a full day's trip there and back, although you could probably make it back to town in time for the meeting) Or the mine offices on the other side of Saltmarsh, where Copperlocks keeps her office and where distribution and customs paperwork is done? Or the Wicker Goat, where Copperlocks spends a lot of her time in meetings, and where a lot of miners tend to hang out when off-duty in town?
After poking in holes for a bit with Lankus, Gerrard goes up the hill to see Winston about selling silk and gems. Kei tags along.
Peri comes down the hill preparing to return to the cabins, but stops in to see Kester. She keeps no stock of magic items, but might be able to commission some. ("I just need a fresh manta ray, first, and a down payment, second. It'd take a few weeks, minimum.")
Boko examines the locked chest. It is tightly sealed, with no indication of a lock that could be picked. It looks magical. She thinks about visiting Luca, a trip that would require sailing across the bay to the wilds of the peninsula across from Saltmarsh. A 30-minute sail across the bay, if the weather continues to cooperate. She could be back by sunset, easily.
Gerrard:
“That sounds like something we might need the council’s approval for,” responds Gerrard to Lankus after his suggestions. “I for one would be willing to go house by house and help cleanse this area in honor of Armand’s memory should you wish it and the council approves it—though the Sahuagin menace are perhaps a greater immediate threat.”
”Excellent, Master Kei and I are off to Winston’s. We’ll get the silk and gems appraised. Anyone have any ideas how to get this chest open?” asks Gerrard, adding to Kei and Boko,, “Let’s stop by the Procan temple on the way to Winston’s to see if Father Brinehald has any ideas on how to unravel the magic locking this chest, unless you have another idea, Mistress Boko.”
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
Peri:
"No, I can't wait for 'em, and hope I won't need one again after this mission. Though, the world bein' the contrarian place that it is, I probably will..."
He thanks Kester and decides to seek the others. Probably committin' us to some other 'noble venture!' But if Kei's with em he might be able to rein in their worst impulses.
Dwal will postpone his trip for another day, though he does feel the need to touch base with fellow dwarves. Instead, he will stay close to the cabin, study and read. If Bjorn's nest is still about he will reclaim it and place it someplace out of the way.
Gerrard and Kei make their way up the bluffs. They receive little help from Brinehald, who's busy preparing for services. His acolytes look over the chest and shrug. "Smash it!" says one, unhelpfully.
Winston is more helpful. He appraises (and will offer) the five bolts of silk at 100gp each ("a rare silk it is!") and the gems at 1000 gp, total. He'll also give you 100gp for the chest, as-is, unopened. ("I'll work on it. Could be diamonds, could be hardtack!") He tries to interest you in a new shipment of toys and noisemakers. He also has a Hat of Disguise for sale at 300gp.
Gerrard’s Calculations:
600 gp in coins, 500 gp in silk, and 1000 gp in gems. That’s a total of 2100 gp value for the 5 of us, or 420 gp each. Gerrard suggests we convert the silk to coins and have people take their share in whatever mixture of coins and gems they desire.
He suggests we keep the magical chest for now, hoping the value of its contents will be significantly more than 100 gp, and we hopefully will eventually find someone who can dispel the magic locking it.
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
Peri:
Peri strolls down to the cabins, where he find Dwal but not the others. "Where's everyone else? You didn't sleep down here all alone did you?"
Gerrard:
Passing on the hat of disguise, Gerrard takes the coinage from the sale of the silk and the identified gems and splits it evenly in each person’s portion. Handing Kei his portion and keeping us own, Gerrard suggests, “Let’s stop by the house on the way to our next errand and see if the others are there so we can give them their portion.”
OOC: If Boko is with them, Gerrard will give her a portion as well.
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
Boko offers to cast dispel magic on the locking mechanism of the chest. "Something I have recently picked up." She also sends them into town with a request for 300gp worth of diamonds. "Luca told me about a way that I could pull someone back from death if I am able to get to them before a minute has passed. It needs a lot of diamond, however. Speaking of Luca, I would like to check with them before the council meeting. They have wisdom I do not, and may know more about the horror we freed, Xolor, or any of the other threats we are facing. I would like to take the boat across the bay and back, but if not, I have shift into something that can swim fast and get there myself."
She does so and seeks out Luca, giving an update on everything she has experienced since coming to town. Being abducted, everything she remembers about Xolor, trying to seek out where she was taken, finding the party, what they tried to do, what they actually did. She asks for any information that might be useful, and anything she should prioritize as she tries to right the various wrongs she's listed, rebalance things, and combat the malevolent forces in the area.