I stand beside the two men and regard the door that we have cleared after moving the crates and barrels.  I glance to Essagan, he clad in standard Imperial issue uniform, armor and longsword.

“I hope you know how to swing that, Trooper.”  I say good-naturedly to Essagan, flicking my scruffy chin to the sword at his belt.  “As our good Commander felt but one blade was sufficient for the three of us to tackle whatever’s beyond.”

It does not escape me that, unarmored and weaponless, Allimir is considering Ilead and I expendable bait to accomplish this mission.

“I’ll take that torch and go first.”  I offer to Essagan.  I am loath to rely on someone else to bear our only light source, and a stout torch can serve as a truncheon, in a pinch.  “But first, let’s Ilead and I see if we can scrounge up something in this mess to fight with if things get hot.”  I say.  I pat Ilead on his beefy shoulder.  “You’re a strong-looking fellow.”  I say.  “Why not grab a board or stick to strike with if we run into hostiles down here, yes?”

We root around through the junk in this foul-smelling room seeking anything that may equip us for what is to come…

OOC:  Sorry for the delay. As you know, I'm juggling 3 separate fast moving combat threads in ToH. They're winding down soon so hopefully our group will be back together again and posting can level out.  Unless Essagan protests, Francois will take the torch.  We will also do some ‘scrounging’ to see if we can find anything that may help us among the junk – spear, stick, pitchfork, shield, anything.  Francois would also try to ‘size up’ Essagan and Ilead for any clues as to how reliable they may be in combat, like a captain reviewing his troops.  After we scrounge around, Francois will take up the torch and position Essagan behind him and Ilead in the rear and then open the door and begin his search.

"Of course. I'll bring up the rear," Essagan says stiffly. His glance flickers to Illead, and then back to Essagan. "Sorry we can't arm you, Macile," he says, though his tone sounds hardly apologetic.

Poking around in the long-abandoned storeroom, Francois and Illead find very little to arm themselves with. Illead manages to pry off a couple of boards from crates. "Ya wan' wunna dese?" Illead speaks as if his mouth were filled with marbles, and he offers Macile one of the boards. Along with the missing teeth, he has scars on his cheek and upper and lower arms. "I bin inna few scraps. Whatcha tink we gunna run inta?"

Once Macile's preparations are complete, he pushes open the door at the far end of the storeroom.

The group find themselves in a long corridor. At equal intervals along the hallway are sconces which probably held torches at one time. About halfway down the corridor are two doors, one on the west side, one on the east. Further down at the edge of the torchlight is another door at the end of the hall.

OOC: Essagan has no problem with Francois carrying the torch.

Essagan looks like a standard infantryman. You have led men such as him before. He seems the sort to not question orders and looks reasonably confident. You figure he can handle himself in a fight if things get rough.

Illead is muscular, but he doesn't seem inclined to take initiative. He seems compliant but not very bright. It's hard to say if he would stand and fight or cut and run.

Essagan seems to want to position himself where he can watch both you and Illead, and he will insist on bringing up the rear.

I rolled for Scrounging for both Francois and Illead. The best you can do is a couple of boards, roughly the width of a 2x4 and approximately 1' long. You can use them as Cheap improvised light clubs (-1 to hit and damage) using the Axe/Mace skill. You also locate a couple of barrel tops and rope. With a successful Armoury (Melee Weapons) roll and 20 minutes each,  you can create makeshift two medium shields, 12 lbs, with DB 2.

“That’s a good question, Iliad.” I reply, tipping over a barrel and kicking in the lid.  “I can’t imagine brigands would be foolish enough to hole up under a military fort. Cave Rats, perhaps? Or, nothing at all, if we’re lucky.  Maybe Allimir’s men just decided to go AWOL.”

I hand Illead the torch then right the barrel and, with some effort, pry the lid free.  “A shield.”  I say, presenting the rounded plank lid to Illead. I find another barrel and repeat the process for myself, then take the torch back from Illead.

Now we are standing in a hall, regarding three doors, one nearby to my left and right, and the other further ahead.

Holding aloft the torch for light, I first examine the ground leading into and out of the two nearest doorways for signs of footprints or other clues…

OOC: Perception or Default Tracking roll for footprints, etc. After this, Francois will go look and listen at the door on the right, then the door on the left.  If I hear nothing I will whisper to the others to be ready, then I will tuck the shield under my left arm so I can open the door, and open it.  As soon as its opened, I will re-ready the shield and have a peek inside.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 11:19, Wed 14 Sept 2022.

From the gloom of the torch, Francois can spot disturbances in the thin layer of dust that coats the floor. Though he cannot be certain, it seems like more than two people have walked down this corridor before. If he had to guess, it would seem more like half a dozen or so. Footprints lead to each of the doors and then away from them.

Stopping at each door, Francois hears nothing from either. Cautiously, he opens the left-most door and looks inside.

The light of the torch reveals what looks like a former barracks. Francois counts eight beds in total covered in dusty blankets. In front of each bed stands a footlocker. The dust in this room appears undisturbed.

OOC: You successfully made both your Per check and your default Tracking roll. From the disturbed dust, it looks like a number of people have walked through the corridor.

“There’s been plenty of foot traffic down here.”  I observe, holding the torch aloft. “Most likely from Allimir’s soldiers – or could be someone else…”

“Trooper.”  I say, turning to Essagan. “If you would kindly cover us by the door, let’s Illead and I give this place a quick once-over…”

OOC: I and Illead will search the barracks for any clues or items of interest, paying care to search for any discarded weapons, armor, etc.  If there is nothing of interest, we’ll go enter and explore the room on the left.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:17, Fri 16 Sept 2022.

Essagan looks with interest at the disturbed dust but offers no commentary. The signficance of foot traffic in the area does not seem to register with Illead, who pitches in with Francois to search what seems to be an abandoned barracks.

The search does not uncover any weapons or armor. Most of the footlockers have cheap clothing, mostly shirts, belts, and trousers. In one footlocker, Francois finds what appears to be a hip flask. Unscrewing the lid and sniffing it cautiously, he smells faint traces of alcohol, though the smell is faint. In another footlocker is a musty book. The title reads The Ruins of Kemel-Ze.

"Ey. Look a' wha' I foun." Illead trundles up with a small pack of playing cards. Opening it reveals odd, six-sided cards with various symbols, including images of creatures, gods, and Daedra.

Finding nothing further, the trio move to the door on the right-hand side of the hall. Francois gently eases the door open and peers inside. This room appears to have once been a kitchen, with a counter and sink along one wall, various cabinets, and several small piles of plates, cups, and bowls. At the light from the hall, Francois can hear some skittering coming from further inside this room.

What Fracois hears

OOC: Oops, sorry! I didn't realize you wanted to check the right-hand door first. Let me know if you want to take any of the items you found in the barracks or if you intend to leave them.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:23, Sat 17 Sept 2022.

As we are rooting through the abandoned barracks, I turn to see Illiad holding up a worn deck of curious-looking playing cards.

“Now that is a good find, Illead!” I praise the man, clapping a hand on his beefy shoulder. “Nothing like a lively game of Danmeric to pass the time! I’d be happy to show you how to play some time!”

“But I do believe I found even better booty!”  I say.  I raise up the flask I found in one of the footlockers.  “Smells like teen spirit to me!”  I press the mouthpiece to my lips and take a cautious sip, then a deeper one.  It's been half a year since I last enjoyed the taste of alcohol and I won’t deny myself the pleasure, even if its turned to vinegar by now.

I swallow, wincing, and then hand the bottle to Illead.  “Have a slug!” I say cheerfully, then: “You too, Corporal Essegan.  I won’t tell!”

Soon after I come upon a rabbit-eared copy of The Ruins of Kemel-Ze..  Though I’d never heard the tale, it may make for some decent reading or, if not, certainly toilet tissue – a precious resource in Sandmoth Dungeons.  The book I stow in a dirty old shirt I found among the junk, which I tie into a crude carrying sack…

Before long, we have crossed to the next room and find ourselves in a kitchen of sorts.

“Be sharp.  Sounds like rats.” I warn, and with torch and shield ready, I advance into the room for a better look…
This message was last updated by the player at 19:12, Sat 17 Sept 2022.

The drink is nearly flavorless, most of the alcohol having evaporated during the years this place was abandoned. Still, Francois savors a precious sip and shares it with Illead and Essagan. The latter declines, but Francois's fellow prisoner takes a cautious sip, wrinkling his lips in slight distaste.

Cautiously, Macile advances into the kitchen. Behind him come Illead and Essagan. There is a slight swish as blade leaves scabbard.

The air smells of must and mildew, coupled with a pungent, musky odor, and something that smells of ammonia. Near one wall, Francois finds a barrel with a good-sized hole gnawed in it. Lifting the lid, he finds decades-old saltrice still inside, though more than half the barrel is empty now. Checking other barrels, he finds the rest of the food, including scrib and hound jerky, have molded and are now covered with a green layer of fuzz.

The torch reveals little else of interest: bowls, earthen cups, plates. He does find some utensils, including several cutting knives, but their blades are dull and rusty with disuse.

And then, his light falls on the farthest corner of the room and a good-sized hole in the wall, with two small eyes reflecting the light from the torch. With a squeal, about a dozen or so small objects launch themselves out of the hole, directly for Francois!



OOC: You've disturbed a swarm of rats. Alone, they pose no threat, but in a swarm, they have the potential to be dangerous. You can attempt to stomp them, use your shield, flee, or do whatever else you can think of.

"WHOA!" I exclaim when the swarm of big, greasy rats spills, squeaking, out of their den into the kitchen...  I leap back, bumping into Illiad.  "By the Nine Divines, they're BIG BASTARDS!" I cry.

I take a swipe with my burning torch at the nearest of the vermin trying to drive them away or scatter them, even as I begin backpedaling toward the door...

"FALL BACK!"

OOC: Francois will take a defensive retreat, facing the rats, but taking backward steps. He will stomp, kick and swipe his torch at any rats that come close.  His goal is to fall back enough to get out the door and then slam it shut, being sure that he is the last to retreat the room and not leaving Illiad or Essagan behind. His counterattacks will be telegraphic for the +4 to hit.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:48, Mon 26 Sept 2022.

The rats are quick, and their jaws snap with terrific pressure. But the light of the torch blinds them, allowing Francois, Illead, and Essagan to retreat from the kitchen out into the hallway. Francois shoves the door shut.

The big Breton can hear the vermin on the other side scrambling against the door. Though rats' jaws are prodigiously strong and can bite through just about anything given enough time, Francois knows they are safe for the present.

Now they stand in the corridor again, the light of the torch illuminating most of the corridor.

OOC: The rats muffed their attack, giving Francois and co. enough time to escape.

To the left is the barracks. To the right is the kitchen. Ahead is still unexplored. Behind leads back to the fort.

I give the two men a grin.

"Well, that was a close call!" I laugh, breathlessly. I turn back to the door through which we just passed and hear the scratching, gnawing, squeaking noise just on the other side.

"We'd best keep moving."

I pass around the old bottle of spirits until we have drained it, then toss the bottle aside.

Torch in hand, shield-board raised, I lead the other two down the unexplored passage, eyes and ears peeled...

OOC: Continue on!
This message was last edited by the player at 01:00, Sun 02 Oct 2022.

At the end of the passageway, the three find themselves before yet another door. Francois listens for a moment, and hearing no noise on the other side, cautiously opens the door and peers inside.

The light of the torch reveals what appears to be a large hall. The air here is damp and musty. To his left and right, Francois sees two suits of leather armor on display stands, though even from the doorway, Francois can see that they are cracked and rotting. At the edge of the torch's light seems to be a wooden rack holding various weapons, their metal rusty. Francois can hear the gentle lap of water coming from somewhere to his right, past the radius of his torch.

OOC: This room is large enough that Francois can only see one wall, the one the door is set in that he just entered. On either side of the door are armor racks with rotting sets of leather armor. Ahead, Francois can see a weapons rack with an assortment of weapons, though they look rusty.

I regard this large, dark hall with interest, perking up at sight of the weapon rack.  The armor is tempting, but I'm not about to wrestle into such rotting, moldy leathers and, besides, I'm generally too large for off-the-rack garments. But the weapons may be useful -- certainly more effective than a torch and broken bit of board.

"Be sharp and watch each other's flank." I murmur to the other two.  "Let us go see if any of those weapons are salvageable."

OOC: Francois will enter the chamber, makeshift shield and torch/club ready and make a bee line for the weapon rack to look it over, all the while, searching the fringes of the torchlight for any clues of the former inhabitants.

Bypassing the armor displays, Francois moves to investigate the weapon rack. These weapons must have been left behind when this fort was abandoned. In many of them, the metal is badly rusted, and in others, the wood has rotted, However, Francois is able to find a few usable weapons. One longsword's blade is pocked, but the steel is still sharp. The same is true for a spear and a couple of daggers. He also finds a net, the fiber still strong.

OOC: Francois finds a steel longsword, two daggers, a spear, and a net. Treat all of these as Cheap based on their condition.

"Well this is more like it!"  I announce happily, but in a low voice.

"Even a rusty sword is better than a burning piece of wood!" I toss the board-shield aside to free up my hand to take up the steel longsword, noting the edge is still keen enough to cut. I try to slip it through the rope-fabric that serves as my belt. I then step over and take up the spear, hefting it in my hand.

"Grab what you think best, Illead." I say, and move away to make room for him to peruse what weapons remain.

OOC: Discard wood board/"shield". Take steel longsword, and slide into my "belt". Take torch in left hand and spear in right. Then, once everyone's ready to go, finish searching the place for any other items of interest of alternate egresses. If none, go back into the hallway and seek the most obvious, direct route not yet explored and continue on quietly.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:15, Mon 10 Oct 2022.

Illead looks with askance at the remaining weapons, but he at length picks up one of the rusty daggers. He makes a few tentative swings with it. "I use'ly jus' use m' fists," he says, somewhat apologetically. "Nevva fought any rats, doh. Hopef'ly we don' run inta any mo'."

Essagan has been quiet. He has seemed content to bring up the rear, but now he speaks up. "Is that - water? Shine that torch over that way, Macile."

About ten yards further into the hall, Francois discovers a grate covering what looks like a pool of water. The grate is open and thrown back, and a ladder leads down into the depths. The air smells of salt here. Essagan squats down near the grate and peers down into the darkness of the pool, then stands and shrugs his shoulders. Noting this possible exit point, Francois continues a sweep of the room.

The torch reveals sconces with torches still in them. Francois finds several more weapon racks, these with spears and halberds, their shafts rotten and worm-eaten, though a few spearheads still look serviceable. The torch reveals a number of cupboards and tables. In the northern wall is another door with a desk and chair beside it. On the other side of the door is a rotten tapestry with what looks like a crest on it.

At the western wall is a larger, more imposing door. Flanking this door are two more decrepit suits of leather and two more tapestries, frayed and rotting.  However, much of this door has been smashed in from the outside, and the torch reveals what looks like a landslide on the other side of the door. It likely can be cleared from the outside, but doing so from within would be a long, arduous task.

OOC: The chamber seems about thirty feet long and twenty feet wide. You entered from the door to the south. A door similar to the one you entered is in the northern wall. A large, partially destroyed door is in the western wall and is blocked with rubble.

The pool, open grate, and ladder are in the NE corner of the room.

There are a number of tables and cabinets in this room, along with the desk.

I frown at the open grate and the ladder leading down into the darkness.  I sniff the mild stink of brine.

"Well, the door there appears pretty well blocked, so I would presume whomever still haunts these dungeons will have descended here. To where and for what purpose, I suppose we'll have to find out."

He squats by the ladder, takes firm hold of it and gives it a few lively shakes to confirm it is not unstable or rusted out.

"I'll go first.  Hold off descending until I give you the word."  I say.

And then, I drop my spear down the shaft to free my hand for climbing. I take hold of the torch in my left hand, and begin descending, gripping the ladder bars in my right...

OOC: Descend shaft, looking listening etc. Once below will retrieve the spear I dropped. If the coast looks clear, will beckon down the others.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:17, Thu 20 Oct 2022.

Dropping the spear down the shaft, Francois sees it splash into water perhaps three yards down. Carefully, he makes his way down the ladder, one hand gripping the ladder as he goes. By the light of the torch, he appears to be in some kind of cellar, or perhaps a cell for holding prisoners.

Now that he is closer to the water, he can see that it is not too deep, perhaps two more yards. Holding the torch, he scans the walls and the floor. Beneath the water on the other side of the pool from the ladder he can see what looks like the mouth of a submerged tunnel. Along one wall he sees a long, overturned bench underwater with what appears to be a basket and  a fishing rod nearby. On the floor near the tunnel entrance is what looks like a large, rectangular Imperial shield.



OOC: Image is what some Imperial shields look like when well maintained. Francois would be familiar with the design. It's hard to tell, but it doesn't look to be rusty.

Francois has descended 3 yards and is still clinging to the ladder. This small cell is perhaps 5 yards by 5 yards. The tunnel is underwater. The water looks relatively shallow here, perhaps only 2 yards deep.

Clinging to the ladder, I thrust the torch lower and crouch on the last rung to get a better lay of the land... I shake my head. Not liking what I see.

"Water's too deep to wade through."  I call up the shaft.  "We'd have to swim to follow it. There's a tunnel a little further down, but its almost completely underwater. We'd have to dive to explore where it goes and who knows how far it goes..."

I switch hands on the rungs to give the other a break.

"Looks like someone fishes down here." I add. "I see a pole and some line. There's a shield here, too. An Imperial standard issue. And it looks pretty new.  Not dirty or rusty, at least. Can't have been here long..."

I crouch there for awhile contemplating what to do. I consider hanging from the bottom rung and trying to retrieve the spear I'd earlier dropped down from above, but decide against it. With the torch occupying one hand, I'd have to do a one-handed chin-up to get low enough to even reach the spear, let alone manipulate it back up to me with my feet. Nah, I'll leave it...

Easy come. Easy go.

"So we know our troops came down here. I'm doubting, they were the fishermen. That's probably someone else who lives down here. But we do know one of our boys left a shield behind. Either he was slain and dropped it, or he couldn't swim with it through the tunnel, so abandoned it. Or, he was a shit-bird and after he set his shield down here he forgot it, which I'm doubting, seeing its a fine of three lashes and a month's wage for losing Imperial equipment, last time I heard."

I clamber back up the ladder and hand Iliad the torch so I can flex my fingers and shake the burn from my tired muscles from the climb. I am panting, but feel invigorated by the brief bit of exercise.

"So my guess is the troops swam through the sewer tunnel. But before we tackle that, let's first check out that last door over yonder. We'd be fools to get wet before ruling out the door..."

OOC: Francois will abandon the spear. He'll hold torch (how much longer on the torch) in left hand and sword in the right, listen through the door, examine the door for dangers or traps, then with the other two at the ready, he'll open it and see what's beyond.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:19, Mon 24 Oct 2022.

"Shwim?" Illead looks worried. "I kin dog pa'l, bu' I ain' no strong swimmah."

"You're welcome to stay here and wait for us to return, Illead," Essagan says. "Those rats probably won't be able to get to you. Probably."

"I'm stickin' wi' you two!" The beefy Imperial prisoner looks worried.

Deciding to explore what might lie behind the last door, Francois approaches it and examines it carefully. It does not appear to be trapped. A desk and chair sit next to the door, a dry inkwell on the surface with a quill lying to one side. Essagan rifles through the desk drawers and withdraws a few sheets of paper. "These seem to be documents regarding staffing, inventory, and payroll," he says, squinting at each by the light of the torch.

Listening carefully at the door and hearing nothing within, Francois eases the door open and peers within. He sees a large desk immediately in front of him. To the right is a privacy screen, and beyond this screen is a large bed, much nicer than the beds in the barracks. "I bet this was the commandant's quarters," Essagan murmurs. A dresser with a small chest is on one side of the bed, and a cabinet on the other. Essagan opens each in turn. "Empty, it seems."

OOC: The torch has been burning for 20 minutes. Roll 10d6 for the remaining time on the torch.

If you choose to search this desk, you will find more documents related to this former fort's administration. If you want to search further in this room, tell me how long you want to search.

Otherwise, let me know if Francois wants to explore the tunnel, try to somehow shift those rocks away from the door, or do something else.

“Looks like an officer’s quarters.”  I observe quietly.

“Not sure we’ll find much more than trash, but we should snoop about a bit.  Might be clues to where the troops left.”  I wink at Iliad.  “Or maybe another bottle of booze, eh?”

Sword in hand I creep quietly into the room, my eyes fixed on the privacy screen.

“Essagan.  Why don’t you go around that screen this way … I’ll circle it the other way…  Doesn’t hurt to be too careful…”

"Let's all stay sharp..."

OOC: TORCH:  12:54, Today: Francois Macile rolled 43 using 10d6 ((6,4,5,6,2,6,1,1,6,6) Plan is to go around the privacy screen clockwise while Essagan goes around it counterclockwise.  We’ll then spend 10 minutes rooting about.  If we find nothing of interest, go to the rocks and examine them to check on how stable they are. Does it look like the only real obstacle would be time and energy, or are they positioned such that someone could be injured if the rocks came tumbling down? I’m not super clear on the floor plan. Besides the blocked door and the drain leading down to the sewers, does it appear as though there is some other way to go that we haven’t already traversed?

Cautiously, Francois and Essagan circle around the privacy screen, but the room seems free of danger. A search of the room turns up little of interest. Tucked in between the wall and the bed, Francois finds an old pouch with three silver coins. Beneath the bed is a crumpled sheet of paper. Essagan takes it to the desk and smooths it out. On the sheet of paper is sketched a rough drawing of what looks like part humanoid, part lobster, part squid.



"Looks like a dreugh," Essagan says. "They're aquatic creatures and can be pretty nasty. The native Dunmer use their carapaces for armor."

After a quick inspection of the caved-in entrance, Francois surmises that it would likely take days to clear out. The only other option seems to be the pool and the underwater tunnel.

"Mebbe de men drowned," Illead says helpfully.

OOC: The caved-in entrance looks pretty solid. It's doubtful that these could be moved without a great deal of time and energy.

I uploaded a map of the abandoned fort to a new Maps thread. You've explored each of the rooms shown on the map. There's still the underwater tunnel to be explored.

“Maybe, Illead...” I say, then take a long look at the sketch of the dreugh – according to Essagan, an aquatic creature.  “...Or, maybe not.”

I turn to Essagan and hold up the pouch of coins.  “There are three drakes in here, Corporal.  Is it your intent to confiscate them as soon as we’re returned to our cells?  If not, I propose we give them to Illead, here. As an incentive for him to brave the sewer waters below.  Because that’s where we’re going to have to go if we want to continue our search…”

I look at the sketch one more time, before crinkling it back into a ball and toss it to the floor.

“Let’s go.  But I’ve got first dibs on the shield down there…”

OOC: Unless Essagan opposes, Francois will give the pouch and coins to Illead.  He’ll then draw take up the torch, secure the sword in his rope belt, and proceed to the sewer.  He will then climb down, eyes and ears peeled for anything creepy down there. Thanks for the map. I definitely started to get confused as to the layout, this helps. Have a nice Thanksgiving!
This message was last edited by the player at 22:58, Fri 02 Dec 2022.

Essagan shrugs. "Maybe if we found a store of weapons, or a case of gold, we'd need to report it. But three drakes? Nobody's going to care about that."

Illead accepts the pouch with the coins dubiously, but he accepts and ties the pouch to his belt. "I don' like da wadah," the Imperial says. Raising his eyebrows and opening his mouth wordlessly, the man almost seems to be shaking in fear,

"No worries, Illead," Essagan says cheerfully, clapping Illead on the back. "If we do find those missing men, or at least what happened to them, I'm sure the Captain will reward us well."

Back at the pool, the three descend down the ladder into the pool. Illead clings to the ladder for support and seems very reluctant to enter the water, but he does so after a few moments. The water level is just high enough that it covers Francois's head, but the shield is easily retrievable. The water is cool down here, and Francois once more smells the brine of the water.

Taking a deep lungful of air and holding the shield like a paddleboard, Francois launches himself into the tunnel. The Breton is relatively at home in the water, and he finds that the underwater tunnel is short, perhaps only ten yards, before opening up into a large cave. The cave has a wide stretch of sand on the side by the tunnel, and about thirty yards away, Francois can see an opening with blue sky and more water. The smell of salt is much stronger here, and Francois can hear the cries of gulls coming from outside the cave.

As he pulls himself up onto the sand, he sees movement out of the corner of his eye.



Picture for effect. The cave entrance is about a thirty-yard swim from the beach you find yourself on now.

OOC: With the gift of loot and the promise of further reward, Illead was able to overcome his fear of water and enter the pool, but he still seems shaken.

Francois successfully navigated the tunnel with a decent Swimming roll. As you pull yourself out onto dry land, you catch a glimpse of something moving through the water from the mouth of the cave. It is hard to see this far away, but it seems roughly man-sized and propels itself forward by somehow undulating its body. It's not easy to see at this range, but it bears resemblance to that picture of the dreugh.

Despite my apprehensions of plunging into unknown, potentially hostile waters, I am invigorated by the swim and short dive.

~Two baths in one day!~ I muse as I kick my way through the cool, salty water, toward some light up ahead, using the plundered shield to skim along…

And then, only a short distance later, I break the surface to find myself staring into blessed sunshine and blue skies.  Beyond the cave, the surf rolls, the gulls swoop and cry, and the air is fresh and clean.  After six months confined in a dark, gloomy cell, or breaking my back working the crops, fettered in irons – this brief taste of freedom is beyond delicious.  For just an instant, I fleetingly consider braining Essagan with the flat of my sword and fleeing, taking Ilead with me.  We could steal a boat or even attempt to swim to the mainland – its not altogether far.

But, of course, I know I cannot bring myself to do that.  Today, Corporal Essagan is not my enemy.  He is my Brother in Arms and I would sooner cut off my own foot than betray a comrade who trusts me.

When I reach the shallows and can stand, I pause and turn, to wait for the other two to join me.

“Well done, Ilead!”  I praise the dullard.  “Braving one’s fears is no easy task and certainly worth more than three drakes!”

But then, movement catches the corner of my eye and I see ripples in the water and can just glimpse a dark, manlike shape speeding our way, just beneath the surface!

“Heads up!  We’ve got company!”  I cry, tugging the sword from my rope belt…

OOC: If Francois has time to ready his shield, he will, stepping back as he does.  If not, or if he gets the shield and has time, he will step toward the shallowest water he can reach and wait.  If attacked by an unarmed creature, he will attempt to Extra Effort Aggressively Parry the offending limb. If he has to step back to attack with proper reach, his attacks will be extra effort Deceptive -2/-1 THRUST for torso.