1) The Haunted House

[hedgeknight]

Burly lets a few of the others go ahead of him, keeping to the middle of the group. He has both hands free in case he needs to grab hold of something as they make their way around the back of the house. Looking out over the cliffside at the ocean gives him both a sense of peace and the feeling of vertigo. "Did I mention I don't really care for heights? Especially those that start at the top of a cliff face that if you make a wrong step you plummet to your death? Just wanted to put that out there...you know, in case I wasn't the only one thinking it."

[wolfpack]

If he finds nothing in the rats nest and notics the others entering the house jervis quickly joins.

The keep is not that large, it should not take long to find the evil that lurks within. If need be we can always seperate in pairs to search faster.

[OGRE MAGE]

The party survives its very first encounter and discusses their next step. The rats nest is upturned and a few trinkets are found. A lump of shiny black coal, a shard of colored glass, and a single gold hoop earring (that looks like it would fetch about 20 gold coins) is all that can be found, besides the plentiful rat feces.

Keilif sees that some of his friends are injured so he prays to the Sea Mother for guidance. Amazingly, his prayer is answered as a small amount of seawater suddenly appears in his hands. The young man has trouble containing his excitement about his little miracle as he unselfishly offers it to Jonas to drink. He repeats the process again and drinks the water himself this time.

The groups leader and veterinarian also says a quick prayer over Alec the dwarf and his wound instantly feels much better.

The rest of the yard around the house is quickly searched and nothing else of interest is found. The well and its contents are the only other thing of interest other than the house itself. Upon closer inspection, the back door is indeed slightly ajar as the young baker had stated. Small scuffs in the dirt near the door are evident, the same markings that were found around the well.

Vhing the mercy less takes things into his own hands of course as he clumsily enters the back door without hesitation. The partially opened door reveals a dimly lit 5' wide hallway beyond. There is an unpleasant smell coming from inside. It is a combination of musty stale air and wet mold. As soon as the door is pushed in slightly, an old teacup falls from the top of the door and loudly crashes onto the wooden floor of the hallway.

Actions?

Injuries:
Jonas, slightly

I would like a marching order before you enter the door any further, please. I would also like a d20 roll from Vhing and whoever is directly behind him in the order. Thanks!

[Mant72]

Keilif Zythanthus:

Before entering the manor, Keilif looks to the others, "Seems a little odd for a teacup to be placed on the top of the door. Do you think it was deliberately placed there to serve as some type of alarm or used to reveal that someone has entered the place?"

[Nordbo]

Danny Cruester

places himself in a position halfway between the middle and the end of the procession. He picks up some of the tea cup fragments. Do they look interesting ?

[coil23]

Doubtful

Perimeter alarm,no doubt. Shit.

Instantly on guard, turns to Ben as he is last in marching order and urges, run outside now just enough to be able to look up at the back windows. Tell us if you see or hear anything.

Keeps watch on Ben to make sure noone out of sight of the group.

[ravenn4544]

Ben dashes out to look back up at the windows for movement.

[wolfpack]

Seems strange haunts and demons using such a simple alarm Jervis mumbles to himself.

[Mant72]

Hey Ogre, did the cup acutually break when it fell? If not, I suggest we put it back before we leave if we make it out alive.

[OGRE MAGE]

The teacup is quite broken and looking at the shards reveals nothing, other than the fact that it was of a fairly high quality before it was smashed.

Looking through the windows reveals no sightings or movement.

The hallway is dimly lit but not dark. There are no windows to let in the natural sunlight but, you do see another door about 20 feet down the hall.

If everyone is ok with that marching order, we can continue into the abode.

I will post a map when I get home from work today.

[OGRE MAGE]

Map: 5' squares

image.jpeg (182.08 KiB) Viewed 454 times

[wolfpack]

Jervis will enter the hall and walk up to the door on the north wall and listen

[Mant72]

Keilif Zythanthus:

Keilif abruptly grabs Jervis' sleeve to stop the man from walking down the hall, and sharply motions with his hands for the group to keep quite. In an almost inaudible whisper, he relays to the others, "I distinctly heard a shuffling noise coming from inside the house once the tea cup fell. Quiet. No one move. Let's listen for a moment." Hoping the others heed his warning and follow suite, Keilif stands deathly still with his mallet held at the ready.

[Stirling]

Vhing Cranepool

Vhing heads into the corridor, (pending the results of that d20 roll...Vhing thought he heard something but it faded away, not discernible like footsteps or speech, maybe just the wind blowing in a spooky house), feeling the swell of brave adventurers pushing behind him. Turning to his 'buddy' behind (who is it?), he motions with a hand for him to follow and steps slowly but surely into the mansion going past the first door and turning left. "Come we'll go to the corridor end, it will give room for the others. I'll take the left side, you stay on the right."

Vhing will stop at the next junction to peer round the corners or if he hears more noises, voices, sets a pit trap off...


sorry, must have posted same time as Jervis and Keiliff, happy to backtrack to wait listening for more shuffles and then proceed to the source of the sound, otherwise actions as above

[hedgeknight]

Near the back of the line, Burly keeps looking behind them to make sure no one...or no thing is sneaking up on the group.

[Spectreman17]

Ermulf Jormundson

Come on guys, it's just the rats that ran off I whisper, half trying to convince myself, Let's just get this over with.

I look around at the others, hoping one of them will share my thoughts, and stay carefully placed behind Vhing and Jervis.

[Urson]

The march order suits me fine.

Alec steps slightly to the side, just enough to let him get a good view of the corridor. He's not expecting anything at the moment, but keeps his crowbar at the ready.
I misdoubt a demon or spirit would use a teacup for an alarm. My bet's on a scavenger or two, poor burglars hoping to find summat to sell. And Keilif, I heard someone oder something in there, also.

[coil23]

Doubtful

Turning 'round to Ben and Burly after everyone's silence to listen, Doubtful whispers: You guys have the right idea. Keep an eye on our backs for things like men with knives, falling teacups, and the like. then grins in an effort to add some levity and relax them (a little).

And my lucky horseshoe will always back you up. Pats his club after this statement.

[wolfpack]

Jervis stops for a moment and listens, then whispers

Regardless of what evil lurks, we cannot slay it standing here.

and cautiously moves forward.

[hedgeknight]

DoubtfulAnd my lucky horseshoe will always back you up. Pats his club after this statement.

"And my granny's rolling pin!" Burly says, patting the baking pin stuck through his belt.