The lock does not make any sounds as the key is turned, leading you to think that it may have recently been oiled. The door easily opens.
In the southeast corner of this decayed bedroom lies a man; he is alive, though bound and gagged. He is clad only in undergarments and appears to have no weapons or equipment. Even viewed from the doorway it's evident that the floor in here does not look safe; some of the floorboards are missing, and others are partially dislodged.
"Caspia, seems like we found someone who could use a more gentle touch... This building is falling apart though, step carefully! " Gulin examines the boards, seeing if any are structurally unsound, pointing those out to the paladin.
While some boards are obviously broken, with the dim light from the rising sun you can't tell for sure where the floor is at it's worst. Thankfully you do spot a trail of distrubed dust. Perhaps this is how the figure got, or was taken, across the room.
Gulin silently points out to Caspia the potential path across the room along the walls.
As the two of you approach the figure, it begins to stir. The figure rocks back and forth until it can sit up. You here a muffled cry originate from underneath his gag.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Thaaaaaaank thannk thank you," the man stammers. "My name is Ned and I am traveling from Seaton to Saltmarsh. It was starting to get dark and I had entered this house looking for shelter. Something hit me in the head from behind when I was in the kitchen. When I woke up I was bound and gagged like this! You wouldn't happen to have seen my clothes? We need to get out of here!"
Caspia Aspergina Investigation Check: 4
You look at the hempen ropes around Ned's hands and feet. Past the fact that the ropes are tied, you are unable to glean any information. As the Grinning Merfolk's navigator--a station that granted you both an air of prestige and rank--the day to day operations of the ship were beneath you. Your aquatic home relied upon strands of kelp to fasten items together. Once you journeyed to land you never bothered to take the time to learn the surface dwellers' arts of knots and ropes.
Your eyes sharpen as you focus your entire attention on Ned, however, you are unable to glean any useful information. The shivering man stripped down to his skivvies seems honest enough.
Gulin pokes his head down the hall. "Oy! Angus, Ye still have that oilskin coat?"
Turning back to the man, and following the same path as Caspia, he takes out a dagger and begins cutting the bonds. "Well, think we took care of your previous assailaints, lad. Anything you heard or saw while you were tied up?"
Angus hastily comes down the hall and fishes the oilskin coat out of his pack. "Not sure I'd want to wear this smelly old thing but beats being naked."
As Ned is getting to his feet he happily accepts the outstretched cloak. "I haven't really heard anything since I was hit. Well correction, at one point I heard a horrible ghostly scream echoing throughout the house, a voice said something like, "welcome fools, welcome to your foolish deaths!" Ned pauses, looking slightly shaken. "Assailants? What did you find?"
“We were accosted by some skeletons and an alchemist, but we handled them. You are safe now. Angus, was there anything in the other room? Let us find Z and finish exploring this floor.”
”Ned, do you know anything else about this house? What has brought you to Saltmarsh?”
Caspia begins walking back along the path to the main hallway, checking the boards ahead of her and her companions.
"Skkkk-skeletons?" Ned Stammers, "I am travelling to Saltmarsh hoping to find work as an adventurer. I'm pretty handy with a blade, or at least I am in a fair fight. Didn't really make it far inside until I was assaulted from behind. Just eanted a safe spot to sleep overnight. Figures this place is actually haunted, I didn't believe the tales until now. We should hurry out of here."
The two of you return to hallway. Ahead you see the light from Zi's shield as she rounds the corner, she shouts, "I'd stay over on your side, there is a big hole in the walkway over here. Haven't found anything of note yet."
Gulin open's up the next door. This room appears to be another dirty, decaying room without any furniture. Similar to the room where you found Ned, the floor in here does not look safe; some of the floorboards are missing, and others are partially dislodged. If there is anything of note within this room you can't see it from the door.
Figured the above also covers Josh's amazing roll...
Caspia opens the door. This bedroom has no furniture, but rubbish is scattered everywhere, and webs cover the walls and ceiling. From he doorway, you can see a glint of light in the fireplace from a small, highly reflective object. Angus turns to the group, "Looks like Zi has a few rooms left, I'll go wait for her where the floor collapsed."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Moonday Evening, Goodmonth 9th, 591 CY
Reynnar Eversharp Intro:
Over the past few years you have traveled within the Kingdom of Keoland, secretly in service of the Elven god of mischief, Erevan Ilesere. Utilizing your penchant for disguise and deception you have learned to pass yourself off as an acolyte or priest worshiping a more mainstream religion. Currently you are disguised as a minor priest of the sun-god, Pelor.
In recent years the crown has poured copious amounts of money into sleepy fishing villages along the Azure Sea. The type of bounty that has drawn you to the small village of Saltmarsh. While you are uncertain what specific "opportunities" lie before you within this village, past experience has taught you to rely upon rumors from the locals or the misplaced trust from one with political power to inspire you towards your next scheme.
The sun is barely hanging in the west as you approach a shuttered town gate secured by two guards. It is almost evening now. The wall is old, crumbling, and badly worn by centuries of rain and wind coming in from the Azure Sea. The two guards are aged old human men, undoubtedly grand or great-grand fathers if they have families.
As you approach you one of the men muttering, "It's only a matter of time before those dwarves dig too deep and unleash something horrible."
The other responds, "Aye, if only the King would turn his eye back to dreaming of conquests in the north. This coast is changing and not for the better!"
Reynnar Eversharp Perception: 3
You watch as the first guard nudges the other and whispers something that you are unable to make out. Both of the old guards are now looking in your direction, "Hail and well met traveler, please state your business."
Erich, I'd also recommend that you quickly read through the first three posts on page 1. They will give you some general posting guidelines and additional background for the setting. Given our conversations on discord, I wanted to keep your starting hook a little more general and then offer a few different opportunities for the motivation/personal goal as you explore the town, but this can be changed to something more directed if you find this too nebulous. Also let me know if there is anything about your starting appearance that I ad libbed in the first post that you'd like to change.
Caspia reaches down and picks up the key on the ground. She looks at Gulin.
”Should we venture in and risk it or call our companions, Gulin?”
(On mobile for the foreseeable future so not sure how to change formatting)
"They will be fine. In we go!"
Aldrik Reinholdt in Dragon Heist
Daventry in The Candlekeep Mysteries, and her bag
The lock does not make any sounds as the key is turned, leading you to think that it may have recently been oiled. The door easily opens.
In the southeast corner of this decayed bedroom lies a man; he is alive, though bound and gagged. He is clad only in undergarments and appears to have no weapons or equipment. Even viewed from the doorway it's evident that the floor in here does not look safe; some of the floorboards are missing, and others are partially dislodged.
DM for Out of the Abyss | Edvord Reinholdt for Killilli's Waterdeep Dragon Heist | Sergeant Cernan for Viper's Descent
"Caspia, seems like we found someone who could use a more gentle touch... This building is falling apart though, step carefully! " Gulin examines the boards, seeing if any are structurally unsound, pointing those out to the paladin.
Investigation 12
Aldrik Reinholdt in Dragon Heist
Daventry in The Candlekeep Mysteries, and her bag
Gulin Runehammer:
While some boards are obviously broken, with the dim light from the rising sun you can't tell for sure where the floor is at it's worst. Thankfully you do spot a trail of distrubed dust. Perhaps this is how the figure got, or was taken, across the room.
Gulin silently points out to Caspia the potential path across the room along the walls.
DM for Out of the Abyss | Edvord Reinholdt for Killilli's Waterdeep Dragon Heist | Sergeant Cernan for Viper's Descent
Caspia nods at Gulin and carefully starts down the dust-free path, testing the floor with each footstep before leaning her weight fully in the floor.
As the two of you approach the figure, it begins to stir. The figure rocks back and forth until it can sit up. You here a muffled cry originate from underneath his gag.
DM for Out of the Abyss | Edvord Reinholdt for Killilli's Waterdeep Dragon Heist | Sergeant Cernan for Viper's Descent
Caspia, want to take this one? Maybe the gruff dwarf who breaks legs and pokes collarbones isn't the best face for this guy. :D
Aldrik Reinholdt in Dragon Heist
Daventry in The Candlekeep Mysteries, and her bag
Caspia knelt down and began loosening the gag around the bound man’s mouth.
”Stay calm and we will get you out of here. Who did this to you?”
she removes the gag from the man’s mouth and begins inspecting the ropes binding his feet.
(I want to be sure he is friendly first before fully releasing him.)
"Thaaaaaaank thannk thank you," the man stammers. "My name is Ned and I am traveling from Seaton to Saltmarsh. It was starting to get dark and I had entered this house looking for shelter. Something hit me in the head from behind when I was in the kitchen. When I woke up I was bound and gagged like this! You wouldn't happen to have seen my clothes? We need to get out of here!"
Caspia Aspergina Investigation Check: 4
You look at the hempen ropes around Ned's hands and feet. Past the fact that the ropes are tied, you are unable to glean any information. As the Grinning Merfolk's navigator--a station that granted you both an air of prestige and rank--the day to day operations of the ship were beneath you. Your aquatic home relied upon strands of kelp to fasten items together. Once you journeyed to land you never bothered to take the time to learn the surface dwellers' arts of knots and ropes.
DM for Out of the Abyss | Edvord Reinholdt for Killilli's Waterdeep Dragon Heist | Sergeant Cernan for Viper's Descent
INSIGHT CHECK! 21
Stellar!
Aldrik Reinholdt in Dragon Heist
Daventry in The Candlekeep Mysteries, and her bag
Gulin Runehammer:
Your eyes sharpen as you focus your entire attention on Ned, however, you are unable to glean any useful information. The shivering man stripped down to his skivvies seems honest enough.
DM for Out of the Abyss | Edvord Reinholdt for Killilli's Waterdeep Dragon Heist | Sergeant Cernan for Viper's Descent
Gulin pokes his head down the hall. "Oy! Angus, Ye still have that oilskin coat?"
Turning back to the man, and following the same path as Caspia, he takes out a dagger and begins cutting the bonds. "Well, think we took care of your previous assailaints, lad. Anything you heard or saw while you were tied up?"
Aldrik Reinholdt in Dragon Heist
Daventry in The Candlekeep Mysteries, and her bag
Angus hastily comes down the hall and fishes the oilskin coat out of his pack. "Not sure I'd want to wear this smelly old thing but beats being naked."
As Ned is getting to his feet he happily accepts the outstretched cloak. "I haven't really heard anything since I was hit. Well correction, at one point I heard a horrible ghostly scream echoing throughout the house, a voice said something like, "welcome fools, welcome to your foolish deaths!" Ned pauses, looking slightly shaken. "Assailants? What did you find?"
DM for Out of the Abyss | Edvord Reinholdt for Killilli's Waterdeep Dragon Heist | Sergeant Cernan for Viper's Descent
“We were accosted by some skeletons and an alchemist, but we handled them. You are safe now. Angus, was there anything in the other room? Let us find Z and finish exploring this floor.”
”Ned, do you know anything else about this house? What has brought you to Saltmarsh?”
Caspia begins walking back along the path to the main hallway, checking the boards ahead of her and her companions.
Gulin opens the next door as they walk through the hallway, peering in.
Perception 18
Looks fine to me!
Aldrik Reinholdt in Dragon Heist
Daventry in The Candlekeep Mysteries, and her bag
"Skkkk-skeletons?" Ned Stammers, "I am travelling to Saltmarsh hoping to find work as an adventurer. I'm pretty handy with a blade, or at least I am in a fair fight. Didn't really make it far inside until I was assaulted from behind. Just eanted a safe spot to sleep overnight. Figures this place is actually haunted, I didn't believe the tales until now. We should hurry out of here."
The two of you return to hallway. Ahead you see the light from Zi's shield as she rounds the corner, she shouts, "I'd stay over on your side, there is a big hole in the walkway over here. Haven't found anything of note yet."
Gulin open's up the next door. This room appears to be another dirty, decaying room without any furniture. Similar to the room where you found Ned, the floor in here does not look safe; some of the floorboards are missing, and others are partially dislodged. If there is anything of note within this room you can't see it from the door.
Figured the above also covers Josh's amazing roll...
DM for Out of the Abyss | Edvord Reinholdt for Killilli's Waterdeep Dragon Heist | Sergeant Cernan for Viper's Descent
Gulin gives a quick peer into the room, nods determinedly, and moves further down the hallway.
Caspia, you take the next one lol.
Aldrik Reinholdt in Dragon Heist
Daventry in The Candlekeep Mysteries, and her bag
Caspia opens the door. This bedroom has no furniture, but rubbish is scattered everywhere, and webs cover the walls and ceiling. From he doorway, you can see a glint of light in the fireplace from a small, highly reflective object. Angus turns to the group, "Looks like Zi has a few rooms left, I'll go wait for her where the floor collapsed."
DM for Out of the Abyss | Edvord Reinholdt for Killilli's Waterdeep Dragon Heist | Sergeant Cernan for Viper's Descent
Moonday Evening, Goodmonth 9th, 591 CY
Reynnar Eversharp Intro:
Over the past few years you have traveled within the Kingdom of Keoland, secretly in service of the Elven god of mischief, Erevan Ilesere. Utilizing your penchant for disguise and deception you have learned to pass yourself off as an acolyte or priest worshiping a more mainstream religion. Currently you are disguised as a minor priest of the sun-god, Pelor.
In recent years the crown has poured copious amounts of money into sleepy fishing villages along the Azure Sea. The type of bounty that has drawn you to the small village of Saltmarsh. While you are uncertain what specific "opportunities" lie before you within this village, past experience has taught you to rely upon rumors from the locals or the misplaced trust from one with political power to inspire you towards your next scheme.
The sun is barely hanging in the west as you approach a shuttered town gate secured by two guards. It is almost evening now. The wall is old, crumbling, and badly worn by centuries of rain and wind coming in from the Azure Sea. The two guards are aged old human men, undoubtedly grand or great-grand fathers if they have families.
As you approach you one of the men muttering, "It's only a matter of time before those dwarves dig too deep and unleash something horrible."
The other responds, "Aye, if only the King would turn his eye back to dreaming of conquests in the north. This coast is changing and not for the better!"
Reynnar Eversharp Perception: 3
You watch as the first guard nudges the other and whispers something that you are unable to make out. Both of the old guards are now looking in your direction, "Hail and well met traveler, please state your business."
Erich, I'd also recommend that you quickly read through the first three posts on page 1. They will give you some general posting guidelines and additional background for the setting. Given our conversations on discord, I wanted to keep your starting hook a little more general and then offer a few different opportunities for the motivation/personal goal as you explore the town, but this can be changed to something more directed if you find this too nebulous. Also let me know if there is anything about your starting appearance that I ad libbed in the first post that you'd like to change.
DM for Out of the Abyss | Edvord Reinholdt for Killilli's Waterdeep Dragon Heist | Sergeant Cernan for Viper's Descent