Breya seemed to rather enjoy the attention and subconciously flexed and strutted a bit, making her biceps pop for no reason.

"Well that is one of the deadlier opponents you can have, a bugbear, but he just wasn't up to the challenge.  Though I do have a splinter in my forehead I wouldn't mind help with...  Seriously, who hits someone with a barrel?"

She observed Zale's activity.  "Hey Big Z has the right idea.  We got to check every barrel and probably crates too.  Hey get back in here, we need to check these before we move on!"

Breya didn't laugh at Cassandre's joke but she didn't condemn her either.  She did offer some counsel in a low voice.  "Ooof, Shortstack.  I get where you're coming from, you got to laugh at this shite or it'll eat you up inside.  But.. gotta read the room sometimes...  Don't worry about it, next time it'll be me and when I put my foot in my mouth I get it it all the way to my knee..."

In reply to Breya (msg # 37):

The barrels are easily opened.  They contain:

-One gnome (the one under Cass's bum

-Several piles of that weird smelling jerky

-A human woman, bound and gagged.  She is dead.  Apparently her neck was dislocated from being stuffed into the barrel and struggling to get free.  None of you know her.

-A pile of stuffed animals.  Children's toys stuffed animals. Cats.  Dogs.  Ocelots.  Otters.  A peacock.

-A couple of barrels are filled with crossbow bolts.

-There's a barrel that contains a thick bluish gel.  The gel has no odor to it.

-A small dwarven boy.  Maybe about eight years old in human years.  He is bound and gagged.  He is looking at you all with big, fearful eyes.  Moon looks him over.  "He's dehydrated and malnourished.  Lemme work with him."

-A barrel full of pitch.

The bugbear has his mace, which looks to be of fairly decent quality Masterwork mace.  He also has a nice earring.  40 GP worth of nice

There is a red kerchief tied around his head.  The kerchief has three knots tied in it.


Zale and Kozibi, the two of you are out on the mezzanine, keeping watch or calming down.  Other than cats, you aren't seeing anything or hearing anything.

While you all were working on the barrels, if allowed to, the gnome would quickly move to try to be useful and search the boxes.

Bellinha had started to search through the bugbear corpse.  The earring was pocketed, something else that would be split amongst her companions once their adventure was over.  She had picked up the mace, curiously feeling the weight of the weapon, before the red kerchief caught her attention.  She roughly pulled the kerchief from the bugbears head and stared at it.

Still looking at the kerchief, she rose to her feet and turned to the rest of the room.  "Can anyone use a Mace?  It's a..."

The words caught in her throat as she saw the contents of the room, specifically two contents.  A dead woman whose neck was at an awkward angle.  A thin dwarven boy.  She stared at the dead woman, occasionally glancing at the boy and Duane.

Breya shook her head.  There were others more qualified to handle the living, and Breya would probably terrify the child.

But the dead deserved more dignity than being stuffed in a damn barrel, even if there was no proper place to put her, the woman could lay in state in a corner somewhere, free of that horror.

"I got this... I'll... fudge... I'll be right back I'm going to put her where I can find a place they won't see her when we walk out."

With a grunt Breya lifted the barrel and rolled it along gingerly, using her impressive strength to good effect.  She didn't intend to be gone long it's just... she had to come out of there, at least.

Breya talked to the corpse as she worked.

"Sorry girl, no idea who you are, but I wouldn't want to be left in a damn barrel myself after I bite it, that's forked.  Got nowhere better, going to put you right here.  Gonna try to go get them that did this to ya.  After that we'll do our best to round folks up.  Gotta take care of the living first but we'll see to ya, might be just sending the right people back.  Sorry I can't do any better by you at the moment."

 Cassandre raised a befuddled eyebrow at Zale and Kozi as they left the room — apparently to be away from her. She hopped off the barrel to let the gnome out, and as he showed himself she simply said:
  « I’m Cassandre. You’re free now. »

She didn’t say more and proceeded to search the room with a keen eye. When Breya crouched by her with counsel about appropriate behaviour and conversation, she winced and replied:
« I don’t understand, what was funny in what I said? I was relieved we found the gnome in time… now I’m disappointed we did not come here early enough for this woman… and the ugly bard thinks I’m a bad person apparently. »

 Breya left to give the dead woman a decent resting place, at least she hoped that is what the sculpturesque brawler was doing! Cassandre took an interest in the other barrels. She was ill-equipped to deal with the dead, and equally so to deal with the living.

 Liquids however, she could manage. She checked the blue liquid, and the pitch, trying to assess their properties and qualities.

---

Cassandre picks up 20 bolts, and 3 toys: Cat, Otter, Dog
 Cassandre Lagrene rolled 17 using 1d20+8.  knowledge: liquids.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:06, Wed 18 May 2022.

It seems to be too much. After finding the body of the dead woman and seeing the dwarf boy-Zale looks at Moon, anger and sadness filling his soul. Zale grabs 22 bolts to be sure he has enough. He looks at Bell, lowers his head. Grabbing one of the stuff animals-the otter he kneels down to the small child and offers it. Seeing Breya stuff the dead girl back into the barrel is just too much. Cass's side comment about cuisine makes the man sad, angry and other emotions. He looks at Koz for a moment. The undine starts to walk off without a word, probably just wants to be alone away from the group. His otter looks around and scurries after the man whom raises his hand and the otter merges with the undine.

Away from everything.

Jevin moved through and had remained mostly silent.  Retrieving his bolts from the dead bugbear, he put his crossbow away and helped in opening barrels.

As the gnome made busy searching the boxes, Jevin moved to assist him.

"Hey bud, I'm Jevin.  Nice to meet you."

He kept it simple to introduce himself and start searching through the boxes.   Most were affected by this in different ways and the dwarven boy seemed terrified.   Jevin had seen how a drow scarred children and kept his distance.   Breya moving the dead woman to help give her reprieve moved Jevin, but he remained silent.   'Work to make things better and move on.'

"No Bell, a mace isn't my style.  This place takes a toll on someone though huh?  Wonder how many more are out there needing saving."

Once again, Jevin tried to engage a member of the party in conversation.  Perhaps it was at the wrong time.

Not seeing anyone else to save, Jevin made ready to move on.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:58, Wed 18 May 2022.

In reply to Jevin Holt (msg # 44):

Finding the box with gnome sized gear, Lief's gear, he cautiously began to draw out and equipped himself but kept a wary eye on anyone who could, or was, watching him. If anyone took his actions as threatening, he would be quick to submit... they did just take down a big ol bugbear after all.

Turning to Jevin when addressed "umm, hey, I'm lief."

((visible gear retrieved:

Masterwork Backpack /w weaponrack (muffled bells can be heard jingling inside)

Armored Kilt,   Portable sweat lodge (basically a small tent)

Bedroll, Belt pouch, Spell component pouch, Filter hood

Filter mask, pocketed Scarf, hanging Tent, Strange colored boots

Strangely bulky gloves and a Poncho))
This message was last edited by the player at 03:19, Thu 19 May 2022.

Bellinha started at Jevin speaking to her.  She had been miles away, deep in thought.  "Huh?  Oh...yes..."  she said softly.  "Sorry, i was just thinking the same thing.  I really was not expecting to find pirates here, much less people mut...mutilated and stuffed into barrels.  We really need to put a stop to these pirates.  This cannot continue."

Jevin words seemed to break her somber mood, as if to remind her that there was still work to be done.  She gave the man a grateful smile and then it was back to business.  "Cass?  Did you figure out what those liquids are?"

The undine goes to each room, glancing around to see if anyone is following him. If anyone does-he backs off not wanting to deal with anyone. Seems like everyone is busy talking to the gnome that was just saved. Zale doesn't really want to deal with anyone.

Though Cass calling Koz 'ugly' was priceless.

13:08, Today: Zale Morcant rolled 14 using 1d20+3.  Perception.

Checking the right hand door and working my way clockwise.

In reply to Zale Morcant (msg # 47):

Cass...Knoweledge: Liquids?

Sure.  What the hell.

The pitch seems fairly standard grade...pitch.  You could make some torches out of it but you would guess it's useful for the pirates related to their boat repairs.

The blue gel...that's odd.  There's no odor. And it's not sentient.  Or at least it hasn't tried to kill you yet.

It is organic though in terms of composition.  Maybe some kind of plant sap?Cassandre, need to know if you are touching it or just studying it from a distance.

Thanks


The boxes contain crossbow bolts mostly.  Sorry Lief.  The earlier list was of all contents, not just the barrels.  I should have specified

The halfling woman waves at you Lief.  "I'm Moon.  The healer."

She turns to everyone in the room.

"Lissen guys.  I don't think dragging these two," she nods at Duane and the Dwarven Boy, "around with us is the best idea.  And I'm not much in a fight."

She looks at Bellinha, Kozibi, and Zale (if he's in the room at this point).  "You guys remember that shack right at the edge of the property? Where we fought those creepy crawler thingies?  That should still be clear.  I was thinking about taking these two over there.  It's close enough you guys can get me if you need me.  And I wanna give him," <aqua> She nods at Duane, <aqua>"A better exam.  And this guy..."

She reaches out to tossle the Dwarven Boy's hair.  The Boy flinches.  Moon sighs.  "I think it'd be best if I get him away from any more...loud, sudden happenings.

"It should be after sunset.  We'll camp there tonight.  Maybe about midmorning, I'll take these two down to Salt Lick.  Ya know.  If you guys aren't ready to come with us."

That's the nicest way she can say if you guys die obviously.

Moon shouts for Zale "Zale!  Can you tell Duane to come with me?"

Zale, I am assuming you are back on the mezanine overlooking the courtyard.  I labeled the doors you guys have not gone into above.

Let me know which one you are starting with please.

There are also two doors in the barrel room you guys have not opened yet either.

Thanks
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:47, Thu 19 May 2022.

In reply to Mr. Whetstone (msg # 48):

No, Im sorry if I misunderstood. I thought you said my stuff was over in the boxes.

Clearly unsure whether to trust the group, still not even sure where he is, the gnome is looking around for anything useful while giving a sideways glance at whats being said. Seeing them try to be helpful to the other captives certainly seemed to ease him though.

Turning to kevin "umm, you guys said salt lick? Where is that? who are these people? and who are you people?".

In reply to Mr. Whetstone (msg # 50):

Zale, the first door Door F, looks like it leads to the stairwell coming up from the southeast tower.  See above

Opening the next door...well.  You get more of what maybe you've come to expect from this place.

The room beyond was once probably a grand bed chamber.  There's a large fire place across the way, cold and black from years of non-use.

The furniture in the room has been pushed towards the northern wall.

Piled in the middle of the floor are skeletons.  Human by the looks of them.

They are too old to be more barrel inmates or prisoners.  The flesh has long since rotted away.  There isn't even a scent of decay coming from them.

They are just piled up there in a mound.  As if someone wasn't sure what to do with them and just dumped them all here.

In reply to Lief Forthwind (msg # 51):

The halfling nosd at you Lief.  "Sorry.  Salt Lick is the town I, her...

She points at the woman with the sword, "...whose name is Bellinha...him..."

She points at the handsome man who likes to hit bugbears on the bum with the flat of his sword.  "...who's name is Kozibi...and..."

She looks around and then back at you, "The blue guy who's kinda quiet.  That's Zale.  You've met Cassandre there.

"The tough lady is Breya.  And the tough guy is Jevin.  Did I miss anyone?"

The undine doesn't respond and listens to Moon as he steps in briefly. He doesn't seem to want to talk, nevermind to everyone at the same time. Tilting his head, he says something to Duane in Aquan, putting a hand on Duane's shoulder before looking at Moon and the young boy. Zale just nods and walks out without a word heading to the right. He sees it probably leads to another stairwell and keeps going to the next room. He doesn't expect anyone to follow but never know.

When he gets to the door with the skeleton remains, his eyes dart around the room. The dagger gets drawn. He enters and watches the bodies then goes to check the furniture and glances back expecting them to slowly rise up. A pile of bones that need to be buried but later he notes. Once done he goes out and keeps moving to the next door. One by one.

15:41, Today: Zale Morcant rolled 8 using 1d20+3.  Perception

Jevin listens as Bellinha and Moon chine in about who is who.  He seems about to add something when Moon mentions getting the others to safety.

"I agree about getting them out of here Moon.  Do you need an escort or any help getting them to safety?  We are ready to assist you all in however you need.   I do also agree we should spend an evening here and rest.   I think we could all use some."

Jevin seems ready to assist the others in getting comfortable and resting for the evening.  A slight yawn escapes his lips as he moves to help them find a safe spot in the room and bedding for the night.

Cassandre doesn’t like the idea of opening doors without the gang there for support, but she understands that Zale doesn’t feel like asking for support right now.

In any case, she moves to the newly opened doors and checks inside. If there is danger, she will step in to help the blue man.

"I'm...her..?" Bellinha muttered.  Breya was tough woman and Jevin was tough guy but Bellinha was just 'her'?  A small shake of her head as she handed the Mace to Moon.  "If you are sure that you are going to be safe, Moon, then I think that it is a good idea.  We'll have to be careful with our healer not present but you are right, we cannot continue exploring and dealing with pirates with Duane and the boy along.  I'd rather not split up the company but maybe it would be for the best to get the non-combatants out of the way."

She turned to Jevin.  "Tired already?" she asked a touch playfully.  "We should press on.  There are still two doors in this room and we have other doors on this floor.  If we wait and rest for too long, I think that we might let the pirates escape and they have done too much damage."

Bellinha started for one of the doors at the back of the room.

"We need to stop Sulky McSadface from wandering off like that, he's going to open a door full of sticky clock demons or something and kill us all."  Breya pointed out to the others.  "What he does affects the rest of us.  I don't mind doing it, but he hates my arse, so it might not go well."