Qivys makes sure the kobold makes it to the boat then board himself. Once on board he casts Prestidigitation and drys himself off and checks his gear. He says little as he finds a place to take a seat.
Boko barely recovers from the fight, but she keeps her spell active. Eight more rounds of 2d6 healing, I assume Qivys needs most of it but who else is hurt? Boko’s eyes are fierce and penetrating, and insists on healing people as they regain control of the boat and the inlet. “I would like to take a look under the surface to see if the water here is actually safer than the shore.” She heals people all the way up to the end (heal what you want, roll away) and then jumps in and swims around the small bay to see if anything else is moving or watching.
Peri eyes the carcasses with unease. "Qivys, you might want to note this day. The day you saw a halfling turn down a free meal. On the other hand, if you're still dead-set on goin' ashore, we might as well take these in to Kester along with Rasp."
He lowers his voice to only be heard by Gerrard. "But I'd think about whether you're still keen on explorin' tonight. Qivys has been knocked out twice in the last couple hours, and the druid looks pretty sapped. And they're not gonna let two or three of us go off on our own."
Looking uncertainly into the water below, Gerrard answers Peri, "Fair points, Captain Fenwader, though until the storm passes, we will need to stay nearby--I'm just not sure whether it is safer to be on the water or on the land just ahead while we recuperate."
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Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
Below, Boko finds nothing but three dead chuul and a lot of dead noncombatants. Thirteen corpses, mostly humans and half-elves, along with one dwarf, lay half-eaten in the large fishing net, weighted down with rocks. The bodies show signs of vicious stabbing and slashing wounds, broken bones, and blunt trauma, and have not been dead long - maybe a day or so.
The large rowboat looks like it was used for fishing and short trips. Before its hull was smashed with rocks, it held about eight and was propelled by oars and a small sail. The boat is half submerged and its hull has several holes.
A steep path ascends ten feet from the short strand of beach up to an exterior door in the back of the old fortress.
"Thank ya," Qivys says to Boko once he realizes she has been healing him. ((how many hp does he regain exactly?))
Qivys surveys what he can see, the net, bodies, and dead monsters. He runs his fingers through his beard. Cocking his head slightly he says.
"I ain't tha sharpest sword hereabouts but a net full of dead bodies, feedin' 3 monsters just outside a path an' a door tells me that somethin' ain't keen on visitors."
”And I don’t think floating in this chum is going to grant us a peaceful rest,” agrees Gerrard. “Shall we go ashore, or at least move the ship out of the feeding area?” he adds, looking out at the storm and realizing continuing their voyage to port right now isn’t a good option.
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Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
Peri attempts to fish one of the monstrosities out of the water and onto the deck. Whether or not they haul it back to Saltmarsh he'd like a better look at the thing in case they run across one in the future. And there did appear to be some kind of venom on its, uh, mouth? Could prove useful if they can collect it.
Hearing sense in both Qivys and Gerrard's words, he agrees. "Not a smart move, tyin' up directly over a buncha fresh corpses. Seems to fit with the mysterious captain's style, though. Her takin' us too close to "Hektor" -- whoever he is -- for no real reason I can gather, is why we're stuck shelterin' here now. Boko, you've got an eye for weather; think we can safely sail either that ketch, or this boats bigger form, back to port now?"
The storm continues to rage. The sky is black, the early evening summer daylight strained. Rain occasionally comes down in torrents. The steep hills of the island and the fortress itself block most of the wind in the sheltered grotto where you now find yourself (if not the rain), but odd gusts randomly play in the air around you. Looking behind you, you see a heavy, nightmarish stormscape of whitecaps offshore. Not only does sailing outside the lee of this island seem dangerously ill-advised, but there are no other coves or inlets on this side of the small island that would seem safe to shelter a vessel in.
(A complete map of the island, based on the knowledge pooled by various members of the party:)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Boko finishes the healing surges of her spell: 947772810
(Qivys take what you want, and then Boko and Thwack could take any left over. How's the Captain?)
"That seems ill-advised,"Boko says, trying druidcraft to check to see if the forecast has changed at all. "I do not relish the idea but the island is likely the safest bet until this passes. We still do not know why those corpses were there. I need to rest. The tower at the very least is an option. Or we can try to break into the fortress."
She will help with a quick look at harvesting anything useful safely out of the beast (Survival: 18) and then will help to get off this boat using the foldable boat and swimming herself if needs be. Leading up to where the beast fell and then looking for any other route into shelter. (Survival again, assuming help: 16)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Peri grumbles with disappointment at Boko's forecast, not liking his choices: floating on a pile of fresh corpses (that had already attracted unnatural scavengers), or exploring the buildings the corpses presumably came from. But Boko, it seemed, had already made her choice, so he reluctantly helps ferry anyone who wants to go ashore. (The boat can comfortably fit 4 medium creatures, so with Peri and Thwack being small all 5 adventurers should fit in one trip. If any crew wish to go ashore he can make a second trip.)
He follows Boko's lead ashore, letting her guide and focusing on spotting any potential ambushers. (Perception: 20)
((I have a couple of map questions, from what Boko was able to see from the air. What is the amorphous blob NE of the building? I was assuming they were contour lines of a hill, but the walls just kind of stop without joining there. And what is the elliptical thing SE, a pond or pool or something?))
The tiny reptilian clambers up the side of the boat with Qivys' help. He shakes like a wet dog to dry himself, so much so his tail whips around like the tentacles that just tried to suck his face. "Thank you Mr Grumpy" is all he can manage as he slumps to the deck and begins to inspect his torso for puncture wounds from the giant claw.
He listens to the others talk about the weather and fishing and becomes quite confused. "Why we not just go sleep in castle if everyone is tired?" When Boko suggests breaking into the fortress he pipes up with "Thwack can't break door, but me never seen door I can't open. You want me go open door? Or window?" He seems quite enthusiastic about the prospect of committing a felony. "Sure to be lots of treasures in big castle."
Boko tries druidcraft to check to see if the forecast has changed at all.
The same: Boko judges the weather tomorrow to be warm, humid, and overcast, following a gale and heavy rain overnight. It is now early evening, with perhaps an hour of daylight remaining.
How's the Captain?
The captain is injured (about half hitpoints), but unpoisoned and unparalyzed.
If any crew wish to go ashore, [Peri] can make a second trip.
The captain and her crew will remain onboard the ketch, but will watch the party's progress carefully and train the ballista on any visible enemies that arise.
What is the amorphous blob NE of the building? I was assuming they were contour lines of a hill, but the walls just kind of stop without joining there.
The island has three distinct hills. The walls around the courtyard gardens on the north side end at the northeast hill. The wall is 15 feet high and has a 3-foot-wide walkway along its top, accessed by the stairs to the east and west.
Along the eastern side of the courtyard, the fortress itself once abutted the same hill. But that hillside has since been hewn away to create a passage rounding its corner.
The southern wall is low and unfinished.
And what is the elliptical thing SE, a pond or pool or something?))
Boko reports that it's a cistern, lined with flagstones, and currently filled to capacity.
((Thanks, Qivy will take the 1st 4. Sorry been off radar for the day but back on))
"Thank ya fer tha healin'" Qivys tells Boko. Qivys moves around the boat, taking it all in. Pelted by rain he lifts his head to the sky and shakes it a couple of times.
"Weren't gonna be satisfied till ya run us ta tha grave are ya." he mutters. "I ain't in no shape ta battle one more big evil for ya but, ya care less an' push more." Qivys shakes his head and lowers it for a moment. He pauses for a minute or two then looks to the party and says.
"Yer right. Sittin' over these bodies invites more than 1 kind of problem. I agree we should set ta shore and wait it out. An'" Qivys pauses for a moment then finishes. "since there ain't no shelter ta be had and tha Bard's off ta Gods knows where with his fancy magic house we need ta shelter along side or inside that ominous buildin'." Qivys points up the path to the building.
(Looking at the dead chuul, the party has a strong feeling that Kester the leatherworker in Saltmarsh would be uninterested in the aberration's grotesque crustacean armor. The hide of the monstrous peryton that was Rasp, however, based on Boko's description and the other's distant observations, would likely be of keen interest (and top dollar) to her. But harvesting the hide from such a creature requires an intact carcass, an hour of work, and a successful DC 15 Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) or Wisdom (Survival) check to preserve it in top condition for Kester's purposes. Boko already rolled a 22 for this, I believe? But you would still need to dedicate an hour's time - probably your last hour of daylight today.)
Approaching the area where Rasp fell, however, will require some scrambling, presuming your plan is to skirt the fortress via the hill near the bell tower. The very short stretch of beach where the rowboat lay is the only obvious easy landing spot, although you can swim and scramble up the rocky face of the steep hills surrounding the grotto. But even if you land on the beach and follow the path to the door, you will have to scramble along the thin, crumbling ledge along the side of the fortress.
If you want to follow the beach path (and get a very close look at the door), roll a DC12 acrobatics check to edge along the wall, and then a DC10 athletics check to climb the initial part of the hill by the bell tower. If you wish to swim through the gruesome waters and scramble straight up the hill, roll a DC15 single athletics check.
Peri playfully scolds Qivys, "Keep talkin' to your gods like that, folk might take you for a halfling. I didn't think your dwarf gods were as forgivin' of a bit of sass as Yondalla and Her Children. I suppose you can always convert, though. Be the tallest one in the temple!" He's grateful for the distraction from the task ahead.
Studying the shore he says, "I wish we had Kei and that ugly coat; a ladder would be real useful about now. I can spider up the side there and lower a rope so we can get around front. Or we can skip the front door and go in through the tower, if you don't mind climbin'."
"I always talk to 'em." Qivys states. "I took an oath ta be their agent an' act on their behalf. Thing is they don't say much directly so ya got ta get what they want ya ta do from what's laid before ya."
With excitement, Thwack jumps to Peri's side. "You climb up and then" he rummages through his pack "you stick stick anywhere. Stick can hold lots and won't unstick". He hands a plain looking rod to Peri. "Stick, then press end. Like this." He demonstrates how to push the end of the rod then pulls with all his might. The rod seems immovable even though it's suspended in mid-air. He presses the end once more and casually catches the rod as it drops. "See? Good stick!"
The storm continues to rage. The light has faded a bit more. The grotto is well-protected from the brunt of the wind by the hills and the fortress itself. And the hills and ledges you are considering climbing are pretty well protected from the rain, as well. But water coming off the roof is pouring down the path from the door to the beach in a steady stream. The captain anchors the ketch in the little bay. You are all getting drenched from above.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Boko will attempt the climb on her own with the rod and the rope if that's the best option. (I'll roll to get us going, but feel free to try it, anyone who wants to!)
Acrobatics: 4 (if guidanced: 2 and second roll if helped at all: 22) Athletics: 6 (if guidanced: 3 and second roll if helped at all: 22)
She wants to use the rope and the rod to set an easy path up to the door, and from there, the group can decide to try to go in, or to edge around to the other side of thee building.
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Qivys makes sure the kobold makes it to the boat then board himself.
Once on board he casts Prestidigitation and drys himself off and checks his gear.
He says little as he finds a place to take a seat.
Boko barely recovers from the fight, but she keeps her spell active. Eight more rounds of 2d6 healing, I assume Qivys needs most of it but who else is hurt? Boko’s eyes are fierce and penetrating, and insists on healing people as they regain control of the boat and the inlet. “I would like to take a look under the surface to see if the water here is actually safer than the shore.” She heals people all the way up to the end (heal what you want, roll away) and then jumps in and swims around the small bay to see if anything else is moving or watching.
Peri eyes the carcasses with unease. "Qivys, you might want to note this day. The day you saw a halfling turn down a free meal. On the other hand, if you're still dead-set on goin' ashore, we might as well take these in to Kester along with Rasp."
He lowers his voice to only be heard by Gerrard. "But I'd think about whether you're still keen on explorin' tonight. Qivys has been knocked out twice in the last couple hours, and the druid looks pretty sapped. And they're not gonna let two or three of us go off on our own."
Gerrard:
Looking uncertainly into the water below, Gerrard answers Peri, "Fair points, Captain Fenwader, though until the storm passes, we will need to stay nearby--I'm just not sure whether it is safer to be on the water or on the land just ahead while we recuperate."
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
Below, Boko finds nothing but three dead chuul and a lot of dead noncombatants. Thirteen corpses, mostly humans and half-elves, along with one dwarf, lay half-eaten in the large fishing net, weighted down with rocks. The bodies show signs of vicious stabbing and slashing wounds, broken bones, and blunt trauma, and have not been dead long - maybe a day or so.
The large rowboat looks like it was used for fishing and short trips. Before its hull was smashed with rocks, it held about eight and was propelled by oars and a small sail. The boat is half submerged and its hull has several holes.
A steep path ascends ten feet from the short strand of beach up to an exterior door in the back of the old fortress.
The dead chuul smell far from appetizing.
"Thank ya," Qivys says to Boko once he realizes she has been healing him. ((how many hp does he regain exactly?))
Qivys surveys what he can see, the net, bodies, and dead monsters. He runs his fingers through his beard. Cocking his head slightly he says.
"I ain't tha sharpest sword hereabouts but a net full of dead bodies, feedin' 3 monsters just outside a path an' a door tells me that somethin' ain't keen on visitors."
Gerrard:
”And I don’t think floating in this chum is going to grant us a peaceful rest,” agrees Gerrard. “Shall we go ashore, or at least move the ship out of the feeding area?” he adds, looking out at the storm and realizing continuing their voyage to port right now isn’t a good option.
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
Peri attempts to fish one of the monstrosities out of the water and onto the deck. Whether or not they haul it back to Saltmarsh he'd like a better look at the thing in case they run across one in the future. And there did appear to be some kind of venom on its, uh, mouth? Could prove useful if they can collect it.
Hearing sense in both Qivys and Gerrard's words, he agrees. "Not a smart move, tyin' up directly over a buncha fresh corpses. Seems to fit with the mysterious captain's style, though. Her takin' us too close to "Hektor" -- whoever he is -- for no real reason I can gather, is why we're stuck shelterin' here now. Boko, you've got an eye for weather; think we can safely sail either that ketch, or this boats bigger form, back to port now?"
The storm continues to rage. The sky is black, the early evening summer daylight strained. Rain occasionally comes down in torrents. The steep hills of the island and the fortress itself block most of the wind in the sheltered grotto where you now find yourself (if not the rain), but odd gusts randomly play in the air around you. Looking behind you, you see a heavy, nightmarish stormscape of whitecaps offshore. Not only does sailing outside the lee of this island seem dangerously ill-advised, but there are no other coves or inlets on this side of the small island that would seem safe to shelter a vessel in.
(A complete map of the island, based on the knowledge pooled by various members of the party:)
Boko finishes the healing surges of her spell: 9 4 7 7 7 2 8 10
(Qivys take what you want, and then Boko and Thwack could take any left over. How's the Captain?)
"That seems ill-advised," Boko says, trying druidcraft to check to see if the forecast has changed at all. "I do not relish the idea but the island is likely the safest bet until this passes. We still do not know why those corpses were there. I need to rest. The tower at the very least is an option. Or we can try to break into the fortress."
She will help with a quick look at harvesting anything useful safely out of the beast (Survival: 18) and then will help to get off this boat using the foldable boat and swimming herself if needs be. Leading up to where the beast fell and then looking for any other route into shelter. (Survival again, assuming help: 16)
Peri grumbles with disappointment at Boko's forecast, not liking his choices: floating on a pile of fresh corpses (that had already attracted unnatural scavengers), or exploring the buildings the corpses presumably came from. But Boko, it seemed, had already made her choice, so he reluctantly helps ferry anyone who wants to go ashore. (The boat can comfortably fit 4 medium creatures, so with Peri and Thwack being small all 5 adventurers should fit in one trip. If any crew wish to go ashore he can make a second trip.)
He follows Boko's lead ashore, letting her guide and focusing on spotting any potential ambushers. (Perception: 20)
((I have a couple of map questions, from what Boko was able to see from the air. What is the amorphous blob NE of the building? I was assuming they were contour lines of a hill, but the walls just kind of stop without joining there. And what is the elliptical thing SE, a pond or pool or something?))
Thwack
The tiny reptilian clambers up the side of the boat with Qivys' help. He shakes like a wet dog to dry himself, so much so his tail whips around like the tentacles that just tried to suck his face. "Thank you Mr Grumpy" is all he can manage as he slumps to the deck and begins to inspect his torso for puncture wounds from the giant claw.
He listens to the others talk about the weather and fishing and becomes quite confused. "Why we not just go sleep in castle if everyone is tired?" When Boko suggests breaking into the fortress he pipes up with "Thwack can't break door, but me never seen door I can't open. You want me go open door? Or window?" He seems quite enthusiastic about the prospect of committing a felony. "Sure to be lots of treasures in big castle."
The same: Boko judges the weather tomorrow to be warm, humid, and overcast, following a gale and heavy rain overnight. It is now early evening, with perhaps an hour of daylight remaining.
The captain is injured (about half hitpoints), but unpoisoned and unparalyzed.
The captain and her crew will remain onboard the ketch, but will watch the party's progress carefully and train the ballista on any visible enemies that arise.
The island has three distinct hills. The walls around the courtyard gardens on the north side end at the northeast hill. The wall is 15 feet high and has a 3-foot-wide walkway along its top, accessed by the stairs to the east and west.
Along the eastern side of the courtyard, the fortress itself once abutted the same hill. But that hillside has since been hewn away to create a passage rounding its corner.
The southern wall is low and unfinished.
Boko reports that it's a cistern, lined with flagstones, and currently filled to capacity.
((Thanks, Qivy will take the 1st 4. Sorry been off radar for the day but back on))
"Thank ya fer tha healin'" Qivys tells Boko.
Qivys moves around the boat, taking it all in. Pelted by rain he lifts his head to the sky and shakes it a couple of times.
"Weren't gonna be satisfied till ya run us ta tha grave are ya." he mutters. "I ain't in no shape ta battle one more big evil for ya but, ya care less an' push more."
Qivys shakes his head and lowers it for a moment. He pauses for a minute or two then looks to the party and says.
"Yer right. Sittin' over these bodies invites more than 1 kind of problem. I agree we should set ta shore and wait it out. An'" Qivys pauses for a moment then finishes. "since there ain't no shelter ta be had and tha Bard's off ta Gods knows where with his fancy magic house we need ta shelter along side or inside that ominous buildin'." Qivys points up the path to the building.
(Looking at the dead chuul, the party has a strong feeling that Kester the leatherworker in Saltmarsh would be uninterested in the aberration's grotesque crustacean armor. The hide of the monstrous peryton that was Rasp, however, based on Boko's description and the other's distant observations, would likely be of keen interest (and top dollar) to her. But harvesting the hide from such a creature requires an intact carcass, an hour of work, and a successful DC 15 Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) or Wisdom (Survival) check to preserve it in top condition for Kester's purposes. Boko already rolled a 22 for this, I believe? But you would still need to dedicate an hour's time - probably your last hour of daylight today.)
Approaching the area where Rasp fell, however, will require some scrambling, presuming your plan is to skirt the fortress via the hill near the bell tower. The very short stretch of beach where the rowboat lay is the only obvious easy landing spot, although you can swim and scramble up the rocky face of the steep hills surrounding the grotto. But even if you land on the beach and follow the path to the door, you will have to scramble along the thin, crumbling ledge along the side of the fortress.
If you want to follow the beach path (and get a very close look at the door), roll a DC12 acrobatics check to edge along the wall, and then a DC10 athletics check to climb the initial part of the hill by the bell tower. If you wish to swim through the gruesome waters and scramble straight up the hill, roll a DC15 single athletics check.
Peri playfully scolds Qivys, "Keep talkin' to your gods like that, folk might take you for a halfling. I didn't think your dwarf gods were as forgivin' of a bit of sass as Yondalla and Her Children. I suppose you can always convert, though. Be the tallest one in the temple!" He's grateful for the distraction from the task ahead.
Studying the shore he says, "I wish we had Kei and that ugly coat; a ladder would be real useful about now. I can spider up the side there and lower a rope so we can get around front. Or we can skip the front door and go in through the tower, if you don't mind climbin'."
"I always talk to 'em." Qivys states. "I took an oath ta be their agent an' act on their behalf. Thing is they don't say much directly so ya got ta get what they want ya ta do from what's laid before ya."
Thwack
With excitement, Thwack jumps to Peri's side. "You climb up and then" he rummages through his pack "you stick stick anywhere. Stick can hold lots and won't unstick". He hands a plain looking rod to Peri. "Stick, then press end. Like this." He demonstrates how to push the end of the rod then pulls with all his might. The rod seems immovable even though it's suspended in mid-air. He presses the end once more and casually catches the rod as it drops. "See? Good stick!"
The storm continues to rage. The light has faded a bit more. The grotto is well-protected from the brunt of the wind by the hills and the fortress itself. And the hills and ledges you are considering climbing are pretty well protected from the rain, as well. But water coming off the roof is pouring down the path from the door to the beach in a steady stream. The captain anchors the ketch in the little bay. You are all getting drenched from above.
Boko will attempt the climb on her own with the rod and the rope if that's the best option. (I'll roll to get us going, but feel free to try it, anyone who wants to!)
Acrobatics: 4 (if guidanced: 2 and second roll if helped at all: 22)
Athletics: 6 (if guidanced: 3 and second roll if helped at all: 22)
She wants to use the rope and the rod to set an easy path up to the door, and from there, the group can decide to try to go in, or to edge around to the other side of thee building.