It's hard to see much of anything in the gloom until you approach within feet of it. It is indeed Tom's boat, on its side, with a gash in the hull. What you took to be a flag or sign is Butter's head, impaled on an oar, jammed into the rigging. Tom, and the rest of Butter, are nowhere to be found.
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Boko is into the surf quickly and looks around amid the churn, moving along the bottom out into the bay, no more than 50 feet, alert for any enemies lying in wait for an ambush. She’s seen this kind of ploy before. Actually she’s tried this kind of ploy before, when she spent time as a pirate, however involuntarily.
Perception: 20
She surfaces regardless of whether she sees something of not and relays what she finds. If she finds something she heads to shore, and if she doesn’t she draws closer to the wreck from the water to try to examine what’s nearby and what’s inside. She’s not squeamish but this is a tragedy.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Kei
"No no no" Kei breaks into a run as best he can in the sand. He clambers up the side of the wreck and disappears either into the newly created hole or over the gunwale to reach a traditional access point. Once below deck/inside he searches frantically for his bunk and more importantly the gear he left on board. Little heed is paid to the horrendous flag dangling in the rigging.
"Well, that got sorted out pretty quick." Qivys says while looking at the grizzly sight. "So I am guessin' this has turned inta a rescue party."
Qivys turns to Gerrard. "If'n they was taken capture and tortured, they'll spill ta beans about this assault. We got ta determine if thats tha case or not."
Boko dives into the surf. She finds a few fish feeding on a human foot, but no sign of predators.
Kei finds their gear rummaged through and wet, but otherwise intact and accounted for. There are no human remains aboard the small keelboat.
You are perhaps a half-mile from the river mouth and fortress. You left the rowboat not far ahead. Tom and Butter were not supposed to be this far west – after dropping you off a mile from the river mouth, they said they intended to retreat a little to the east and find a hiding spot.
“There is nothing in the surf. I looked for an ambush, and the submarine area is empty. Can anyone tell if this was done by the sahuagin? It seems likely. Does anyone see anything up in the scrub, observing us? This seems more like a message than an attack. What I know is that they will pay. Do we go now to try to retrieve Tom? Or what is left of him?”
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
While this is going on Qivys tries to locate any tracks on the beach that does not belong to the party. If he finds any he will follow them a short distance and get the party's attention if he thinks the tracks could belong to the humans that may have been captured.
Well, he wouldn't exactly wish such an end on Butter, but he wasn't particularly sorry for the sot. Probably hammered on watch, let the eels sneak aboard and kill the whole crew, he thinks. But when the others begin talking about a rescue he interjects, "Oh no! If Tom's dead, there's nothin' to be done for him, and if he's alive he'll have spilled the beans about our mission. No, we did our part. Let's get back to town before the whole damned garrison comes lookin' for us! We've still got Dwal's boat," he says, gesturing to the box. "Let's sail home quick as the wind can carry us."
”How about a compromise? Let’s check in with our rescued aquatic prisoners and see if they saw anything, perhaps about what happened to the ship. If he was killed, there is nothing more for us to do: if he is alive and held prisoner, it is very likely a trap—but at least we will know whether the invasion plans have been compromised,” suggests Gerrard tiredly.
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Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
Exiting the wreck with his beloved belongings just as Gerrard finishes talking Kei stops dead in his tracks. "You call that a compromise? Either way we are heading in the direction of more danger. I for one, have seen enough for one day. I say we head back to our lovely hovel of a town and impart what we've learnt, let the pompous fools that run the place come up with some sort of plan to get everyone killed and then collapse into bed." He makes grandiose gestures as he talks hoping to add weight to his words.
There is nothing left here of Butter and Tom except Butter's head and an unidentified foot. The gear, while seemingly rummaged through, is intact. The boat is on its side, partially filled with seawater and sand; the hole in the hull is sizable but possibly repairable by a skilled boatbuilder. A single set of webbed footprints leads to it and away.
Boko is prepared to face the sahuagin and look for Tom. Gerrard suggests rejoining Borgas, Kysh, and the sea lion and discovering what they may have learned. Peri and Kei are prepared to call it a night and head back to Saltmarsh.
It is still the dead of night, a few hours before sunrise.
Qivys returns to the group. He hears all sides of this argument, whether to rescue or return to port. He says little at first, letting the party vent then he speaks up.
"We was hired ta find out infermation on tha Sahaugin camp, an we did that" he starts. "but ta my mind we ain't done it proper, least enough ta warrant gettin' paid fer our troubles." Qivys shoots Kei and Peri a stern glance. "Quit yer belly achin'. Yer fer linin' yer belly an' pockets but not seein' tha bigger picture here." he says. "if'n these get a foot hold inta this territory, there won't be nothin' but trouble, bloodshed an' ya can kiss yer cash cow a fond farewell." he tells them.
Qivys pauses for a moment then continues.
"These folks here about are just makin' a life an' they ain't one fer doin' tha things we've been asked ta do." he says. "Now I ain't too broke up about Butter, gods rest his soul, but Tom is another story. Not that I am concerned fer his well being as much as what is in his head that these sea devils can pry out that worries me. There is too many lives that hang in tha balance of things ta turn tale an' run. Not just soldiers mind ya, but their kith an' kin, women an' children, that are relyin' on us ta do our job an' do it well. So that being said. I'm gonna strike out an' see if'n I can't locate Tom and free 'em or confirm he ain't among tha livin'. I'd ask ya ta come along an' I'd appreciate tha help but if'n ya got a mind ta set fer home, I won't be goin' with ya."
With that Qivys picks up his gear, puts his helmet on and sets out towards the Sahaugin fort.
“I’m for joining you Qivys, if we can find out what happened to him and have a path to rescuing him,” says Gerrard, “But we must be smart about it and see if our allies saw what happened or might otherwise be able to help. Just walking up to the front door and fighting the whole place won’t help anyone.”
Gerrard starts heading back along the shore to where they left their rescued allies, hoping they might be able to help.
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Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
“If Tom cannot breathe water, he will not last long in the underwater cells. Or even just getting to them. They have to have air cells up top. We might as well know what is on top, anyway. Perhaps they are still transforming it from its previous state and the rest of them in the gladiator arena will not even hear us. I will go with you. First I will try to find our new friends. Perhaps enter the water as we get just within sight of the fortress. Find them, if they are there. Then climb out and try to get in.” Boko says, walking with Qivys.
Qivys scratches his beard. "Ya may be right" he replies. "They may have a place just fer air breathers an' tha like. Guess we'll just have ta sort that out when we get back inside. We got to be quick about this."
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A puzzled look crossed Qivys face.
"That wouldn't be our escape vessel would it?" he asks
Qivys waits for a minute then approaches.
Perception: 7
Gerrard:
Matching strides with Qivys, Gerrard moves worriedly over towards the shipwreck, his blades drawn.
Perception: 6
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
It's hard to see much of anything in the gloom until you approach within feet of it. It is indeed Tom's boat, on its side, with a gash in the hull. What you took to be a flag or sign is Butter's head, impaled on an oar, jammed into the rigging. Tom, and the rest of Butter, are nowhere to be found.
Boko is into the surf quickly and looks around amid the churn, moving along the bottom out into the bay, no more than 50 feet, alert for any enemies lying in wait for an ambush. She’s seen this kind of ploy before. Actually she’s tried this kind of ploy before, when she spent time as a pirate, however involuntarily.
Perception: 20
She surfaces regardless of whether she sees something of not and relays what she finds. If she finds something she heads to shore, and if she doesn’t she draws closer to the wreck from the water to try to examine what’s nearby and what’s inside. She’s not squeamish but this is a tragedy.
Kei
"No no no" Kei breaks into a run as best he can in the sand. He clambers up the side of the wreck and disappears either into the newly created hole or over the gunwale to reach a traditional access point. Once below deck/inside he searches frantically for his bunk and more importantly the gear he left on board. Little heed is paid to the horrendous flag dangling in the rigging.
Investigation 3
"Well, that got sorted out pretty quick." Qivys says while looking at the grizzly sight. "So I am guessin' this has turned inta a rescue party."
Qivys turns to Gerrard. "If'n they was taken capture and tortured, they'll spill ta beans about this assault. We got ta determine if thats tha case or not."
Gerrard:
”Yes, we should search the ship quickly—if there are bodies missing, they could well be prisoners of the sea devils,” agrees Gerrard with Qivys.
Turning to Boko, he asks, “What did you see below the waves, Mistress Boko? Did our rescued friends see what happened?”
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
Boko dives into the surf. She finds a few fish feeding on a human foot, but no sign of predators.
Kei finds their gear rummaged through and wet, but otherwise intact and accounted for. There are no human remains aboard the small keelboat.
You are perhaps a half-mile from the river mouth and fortress. You left the rowboat not far ahead. Tom and Butter were not supposed to be this far west – after dropping you off a mile from the river mouth, they said they intended to retreat a little to the east and find a hiding spot.
Boko rejoins the group.
“There is nothing in the surf. I looked for an ambush, and the submarine area is empty. Can anyone tell if this was done by the sahuagin? It seems likely. Does anyone see anything up in the scrub, observing us? This seems more like a message than an attack. What I know is that they will pay. Do we go now to try to retrieve Tom? Or what is left of him?”
While this is going on Qivys tries to locate any tracks on the beach that does not belong to the party. If he finds any he will follow them a short distance and get the party's attention if he thinks the tracks could belong to the humans that may have been captured.
Investigation: 20
Survival: 6
Qivys finds a single set of partially washed-away, webbed footprints approaching and leaving the scene to and from the surf.
Peri:
Well, he wouldn't exactly wish such an end on Butter, but he wasn't particularly sorry for the sot. Probably hammered on watch, let the eels sneak aboard and kill the whole crew, he thinks. But when the others begin talking about a rescue he interjects, "Oh no! If Tom's dead, there's nothin' to be done for him, and if he's alive he'll have spilled the beans about our mission. No, we did our part. Let's get back to town before the whole damned garrison comes lookin' for us! We've still got Dwal's boat," he says, gesturing to the box. "Let's sail home quick as the wind can carry us."
Gerrard:
”How about a compromise? Let’s check in with our rescued aquatic prisoners and see if they saw anything, perhaps about what happened to the ship. If he was killed, there is nothing more for us to do: if he is alive and held prisoner, it is very likely a trap—but at least we will know whether the invasion plans have been compromised,” suggests Gerrard tiredly.
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
Kei
Exiting the wreck with his beloved belongings just as Gerrard finishes talking Kei stops dead in his tracks. "You call that a compromise? Either way we are heading in the direction of more danger. I for one, have seen enough for one day. I say we head back to our lovely hovel of a town and impart what we've learnt, let the pompous fools that run the place come up with some sort of plan to get everyone killed and then collapse into bed." He makes grandiose gestures as he talks hoping to add weight to his words.
There is nothing left here of Butter and Tom except Butter's head and an unidentified foot. The gear, while seemingly rummaged through, is intact. The boat is on its side, partially filled with seawater and sand; the hole in the hull is sizable but possibly repairable by a skilled boatbuilder. A single set of webbed footprints leads to it and away.
Boko is prepared to face the sahuagin and look for Tom.
Gerrard suggests rejoining Borgas, Kysh, and the sea lion and discovering what they may have learned.
Peri and Kei are prepared to call it a night and head back to Saltmarsh.
It is still the dead of night, a few hours before sunrise.
Where to?
Qivys returns to the group. He hears all sides of this argument, whether to rescue or return to port. He says little at first, letting the party vent then he speaks up.
"We was hired ta find out infermation on tha Sahaugin camp, an we did that" he starts. "but ta my mind we ain't done it proper, least enough ta warrant gettin' paid fer our troubles."
Qivys shoots Kei and Peri a stern glance.
"Quit yer belly achin'. Yer fer linin' yer belly an' pockets but not seein' tha bigger picture here." he says. "if'n these get a foot hold inta this territory, there won't be nothin' but trouble, bloodshed an' ya can kiss yer cash cow a fond farewell." he tells them.
Qivys pauses for a moment then continues.
"These folks here about are just makin' a life an' they ain't one fer doin' tha things we've been asked ta do." he says. "Now I ain't too broke up about Butter, gods rest his soul, but Tom is another story. Not that I am concerned fer his well being as much as what is in his head that these sea devils can pry out that worries me. There is too many lives that hang in tha balance of things ta turn tale an' run. Not just soldiers mind ya, but their kith an' kin, women an' children, that are relyin' on us ta do our job an' do it well. So that being said. I'm gonna strike out an' see if'n I can't locate Tom and free 'em or confirm he ain't among tha livin'. I'd ask ya ta come along an' I'd appreciate tha help but if'n ya got a mind ta set fer home, I won't be goin' with ya."
With that Qivys picks up his gear, puts his helmet on and sets out towards the Sahaugin fort.
Gerrard:
“I’m for joining you Qivys, if we can find out what happened to him and have a path to rescuing him,” says Gerrard, “But we must be smart about it and see if our allies saw what happened or might otherwise be able to help. Just walking up to the front door and fighting the whole place won’t help anyone.”
Gerrard starts heading back along the shore to where they left their rescued allies, hoping they might be able to help.
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
"Who said anythin' about goin' in tha front door?" Qivys remarks calmly. "We found a back way to tha cells an' I figure that's where they'll head."
“If Tom cannot breathe water, he will not last long in the underwater cells. Or even just getting to them. They have to have air cells up top. We might as well know what is on top, anyway. Perhaps they are still transforming it from its previous state and the rest of them in the gladiator arena will not even hear us. I will go with you. First I will try to find our new friends. Perhaps enter the water as we get just within sight of the fortress. Find them, if they are there. Then climb out and try to get in.” Boko says, walking with Qivys.
Qivys scratches his beard. "Ya may be right" he replies. "They may have a place just fer air breathers an' tha like. Guess we'll just have ta sort that out when we get back inside. We got to be quick about this."