Intro: Search for the Truth

Bastard child Paladin?

1. To the DM - Is Gabby's (Pocadia) father present?
2. Where is Port Innmouth; is it on this continent near Kern or is it to the far west near Kohl?
3. Can you give use a physical description of Gabby's Biological Father (BF)?
3a. To the DM - does Gabby bear any physical resemblance to the description of BF?
3b. To the DM - could Gabby be Emily's half sister, e.g. do they look alike?
4. What was BF's full name?
5. Please tell us everything you can about BF...
a. Other places he liked to go
b. Unique skills or abilities he demonstrated
c. Fears, shortcomings or weaknesses
d. Motivations or goals he shared with you
e. Groups or associations (e.g. churches, assasins guilds, merchant guilds, alumni groups, military units)
f. People; relatives, associates, friends, traveling companions, past lovers, etc.
g. Possesions; weapons, armor, unusual (magic) items, money, clothes, mounts, etc.
h. Anything else you can share with us about BF...

All for now, I'll come up with more later...

1. To the DM - Is Gabby's (Pocadia) father present?
No, and Gabby's Mother is obviously trying to keep all of this from him.
2. Where is Port Innmouth; is it on this continent near Kern or is it to the far west near Kohl?
Port Innsmouth is a coastal fishing village about 13 hexes South of Kern.
3. Can you give use a physical description of Gabby's Biological Father (BF)?
All those years ago he was muscular but skinny and wiry. Large black eyes, chiseled features.
3a. To the DM - does Gabby bear any physical resemblance to the description of BF?
A little around the face, nose and chin.
3b. To the DM - could Gabby be Emily's half sister, e.g. do they look alike?
Yes, they have very similar features.
4. What was BF's full name?
Barnabus Marsh
5. Please tell us everything you can about BF...
She just did.
a. Other places he liked to go
Don't know.
b. Unique skills or abilities he demonstrated
Very charismatic and handsome.
c. Fears, shortcomings or weaknesses
Was afraid to face my husband so he left.
d. Motivations or goals he shared with you
None
e. Groups or associations (e.g. churches, assasins guilds, merchant guilds, alumni groups, military units)
None that I know of. It was only a one night stand.
f. People; relatives, associates, friends, traveling companions, past lovers, etc.
Was traveling with a group of merchants that had similar features to him.
g. Possesions; weapons, armor, unusual (magic) items, money, clothes, mounts, etc.
Dressed like a standard merchant.
h. Anything else you can share with us about BF...
Nope.

Any follow up questions, or statements?

Deslocke will complete the following additional tasks:

Port Innmouth - gather general information about it, current rulership (part of Kern?), size, major industries, diversity of population (e.g. would half demons, dragonborns, elves and dwarves look out of place?), other significant features (e.g. site of major battle, seat of regional church, location of area military outpost etc).

Barnabus Marsh - gather information on Mr. Marsh, concentrating especially in the "red light" district of Dray if I have to. Will even spend a little coin to have agents go to Bree to inquire there.

Gabby's "Condition" - gather information on Gabby's current "condition", research my church's libraries and the university libraries in Dray to see if there is any information on the; name, cause, duration, and cure for what is aflicting Gabby. Attempt to link any information about the condition to people or groups and geographic areas where the condition is known to exist.

That's all for now...

Port Innsmouth:
Small fishing village South of Kern. It's not part of Kern, but has a trade agreement with them. It provides 30% of Kern's fishing produce. No ships are allowed to dock at Port Innsmouth due to the residents complaints that large ship wakes damage their coast and reef. All deliveries of supplies to and from Port Innsmouth are by small rafts owned by the village.
Population is unknown as the Kern government has no jurisdiction as long as they trade at discounted prices exclusively to Kern.

The history of Port Innsmouth is jaded with a religious uprising decades ago. All formal religious establishments were cast out, and the Kern placed an embargo on the village for years. Attacks on the village were repelled due to the deadly swamp and reef surrounding it. Eventually negotiations were opened and it was agreed that no outside religions or laws would be allowed in the village, and trade would be opened back up exclusively with Kern.
There is no Kern military installation present in the village. Actually there is no military known of at all, not even a local militia. There is also no local constable.

That's about all you can find researching in Dray. Any additional information will have to be gained in Kern, or at Port Innsmouth itself.

Will create another post for Barnabus and Gabby's condition.

Barnabus Marsh:
No information locally about him. It's been to long and he just drifted in years ago and left with the traders he came in with.

Gabrielle's Condition:
No information in Dray. When you mention regional they recommend going to Kern. They have a medical program at Kern that researches all kinds of conditions, especially since they are in a port city and are exposed to so much more.

Books don't indicate how this is done. You found census information that indicates when the embargo was in place fishing dried up in the area and brought Kern's fishing trade to it's knees. After the embargo was dissolved Port Innsmouth began supplying mass amounts of fish. Fishing began again for others, but not nearly what it used to be before the embargo.

You believe that is the reason the little village can dictate governing terms of it's own, even though it's clearly in Kern's jurisdiction.

You believe that is all of the information you can gather from Pocadia and Dray. Does the party want to go or do anything else?

There are many guarded caravans that head to Kern. You can even hire-on for a few gold if you don't want to pay to be part of the caravan.

Deslocke will find a suitable caravan and head toward Kern.
Not smugglers, a larger well known (non-evil) merchant guild caravan. Anyone who wants to join me may do so...

Teramotos wrote: Anyone who wants to join me may do so...

Gabrielle will join Deslocke. Before leaving she will buy a potion of regen from the potion vendor.

Ross wrote:You can even hire-on for a few gold if you don't want to pay to be part of the caravan.

If we hire on, shouldn't they be paying us?

Norrin will head to Kern with whichever PCs go.

After a few weeks of travel, your there. They pay you each 5 gold for being guards. There was no action on the way to Kern.

So does anyone do any information gathering?

...do you mean aside from Deslocke, or do you mean, once we (Norrin, Gabby, and Deslocke) are in the area of Kern ?

I'll assume anyone who wants to be there is there. This is still adventure setup, so it doesn't matter who traveled to Kern.

Upon arriving in the capital of the Kerinian Nation, Deslocke will rent a room in Kern in the university district (Kern is known for its outstanding universities).

Port Innsmouth research - Deslocke will hire a street urchin to serve as his guide and page while here in Kern. Deslocke will make sure the boy (or girl) has a bath, a haircut, some clean clothes and enough to eat. Deslocke will hit the major libraries as well as some of the local drinking establishments (especially those near the docks) and gather as much information on Port Innsmouth as possible.
x - Rumors regarding the nature of the fishing industry there
x - Who the key merchant guilds are that broker and transport the fish and do they compete for the work or are they historically the only ones "in the game"
x - The names of the heads of the guild(s)
x - The names of the cities, fishermans guilds or other chief competitors of Port Innsmouth's fishing industry

Black Gull Pirates - Black Gull Island (Pirate base) is really close to Port Innsmouth. Deslocke will toss several of the local criers some small coins to see if there has been any change in pirate activity within the last three months and if so, what that change has been. While at the local bars, Deslocke will see if he can get at least three names of people who can be contacted here in Kern or nearby Kuril who know the layout and people of Black Gull Island. Deslocke will attempt to determine if there are any rumored links between the pirates of Black Gull Island and the people in Port Innsmouth.

Aquatic Races/ Communities - Deslocke will attempt to identify (via books/ bars) if there are any known communities of aquatic or semi-aquatic creatures, especially those than have humanoid form. If there are any communities near Kern and especially Port Innsmouth, gather as much information about them as possible.

Gabby's condition - Identify senior priests of (aquatic) gods, sages (that specialize in aquatic related illnesses), healers and others and visit them to see if they can provide any insight as to Gabby's condition. Deslocke will not go himself (so as to appear not to be associated w Gabby) but Deslocke will do the research and ask Norrin or other PC to go with Gabby. Deslocke will also see if any books have any info on Gabby's condition. Hopefully we can find clues regarding a cure for this condition. Deslocke will avoid reminding Gabby that she's far from home and can't protect Pocadia from Kalen's allies. (hmmm...maybe the mighty Nekk can protect Pocadia!)


Ships - Deslocke suspects that we might need a ship. There are two possible destinations, Black Gull Island and then Port Innsmouth and other "safe" destinations. Deslocke will carefully ask around to see if there's anyone that will be willing to take us to Black Gull Island. Deslocke will also ask around and read posted flyers near the docks to see if there's a general small ship (Coaster or Small Merchantman) that the party could charter. While I'm at it, Deslocke will see if there's any small Coasters or mid-sized (30') fishing boats for sale.

That's all for now...

I am assuming when I sit down Saturday the DM will be able to guide the day's events. If this is not the case I will start paying more attention to this thread and get involved. Until then I leave all the backgroud of this great world to its owner and caretaker, Stu.

....I strongly encourage players and characters other than myself (via Deslocke in this case) to become actively involved in doing the up front, pre-adventure research, investigation, planning and such.

The information that Deslocke "knows" is available on the links under "General Discussion" for the World of Westron to everyone. You can all see the map of the coast where Kern is, count 13 hexes south and see that Black Gull Island is right off the coast at that location.

There is also an excel SS that we can all see that says that Kern is a metropolis and is known for its large universities and fine weapons. I would be just overjoyed if someone else took the lead in these types of activities; by no means do I want to or intend to monopolize the effort. I don't mind doing it (it is fun in its own way) but I sure wouldn't mind if others participated (actively).

There is a reason this is all posted in writing here. If you sit down and don't know any of it on Saturday then that's too bad.

Going to be busy the rest of today and tonight, so I will respond by tomorrow morning.

Upon arriving in the capital of the Kerinian Nation, Deslocke will rent a room in Kern in the university district (Kern is known for its outstanding universities).
~~~~ Done

Port Innsmouth research - Deslocke will hire a street urchin to serve as his guide and page while here in Kern. Deslocke will make sure the boy (or girl) has a bath, a haircut, some clean clothes and enough to eat. Deslocke will hit the major libraries as well as some of the local drinking establishments (especially those near the docks) and gather as much information on Port Innsmouth as possible.
x - Rumors regarding the nature of the fishing industry there
~~~~ Nobody knows why the fishing dried up everywhere. Some fishermen have even paid the pirates to allow them to fish off of Port Innsmouth's coast, and came up with nothing.
x - Who the key merchant guilds are that broker and transport the fish and do they compete for the work or are they historically the only ones "in the game"
~~~~ Several different guilds have done trading with Port Innsmouth. Actually it almost seems as if all of them have, at one time or another, purchased fish from them to resell somewhere in the city.
x - The names of the heads of the guild(s)
~~~~ You can make some up if you want. I'm not going to go to the trouble of doing that. How about Abbott and Costello, or Laurel and Hardy for the top four guilds.
x - The names of the cities, fishermans guilds or other chief competitors of Port Innsmouth's fishing industry
~~~~ Most are just guilds that are competitors, trading in smaller amounts of fish.

Black Gull Pirates - Black Gull Island (Pirate base) is really close to Port Innsmouth. Deslocke will toss several of the local criers some small coins to see if there has been any change in pirate activity within the last three months and if so, what that change has been. While at the local bars, Deslocke will see if he can get at least three names of people who can be contacted here in Kern or nearby Kuril who know the layout and people of Black Gull Island. Deslocke will attempt to determine if there are any rumored links between the pirates of Black Gull Island and the people in Port Innsmouth.
~~~~ You find no link. You actually speak with someone you suspect is a pirate and he indicates the they are terrified of Port Innsmouth. He says they village just doesn't feel right, even from looking at it from the sea.

Aquatic Races/ Communities - Deslocke will attempt to identify (via books/ bars) if there are any known communities of aquatic or semi-aquatic creatures, especially those than have humanoid form. If there are any communities near Kern and especially Port Innsmouth, gather as much information about them as possible.
~~~~ There might be some sea elves, rumored of course. Lots supposed mermaid sightings as well, but most of that is probably rum talking.

Gabby's condition - Identify senior priests of (aquatic) gods, sages (that specialize in aquatic related illnesses), healers and others and visit them to see if they can provide any insight as to Gabby's condition. Deslocke will not go himself (so as to appear not to be associated w Gabby) but Deslocke will do the research and ask Norrin or other PC to go with Gabby. Deslocke will also see if any books have any info on Gabby's condition. Hopefully we can find clues regarding a cure for this condition. Deslocke will avoid reminding Gabby that she's far from home and can't protect Pocadia from Kalen's allies. (hmmm...maybe the mighty Nekk can protect Pocadia!)
~~~~ The scales have grown about twice as big, so now about 5" in diameter on her back. Some healers have seen it before, but they usually prescriber ointment or something. They have never heard back from the patients though.

Ships - Deslocke suspects that we might need a ship. There are two possible destinations, Black Gull Island and then Port Innsmouth and other "safe" destinations. Deslocke will carefully ask around to see if there's anyone that will be willing to take us to Black Gull Island. Deslocke will also ask around and read posted flyers near the docks to see if there's a general small ship (Coaster or Small Merchantman) that the party could charter. While I'm at it, Deslocke will see if there's any small Coasters or mid-sized (30') fishing boats for sale.
~~~~ The supposed pirate you spoke with states there really ain't know way to get to Port Innsmouth by ship. You'd need a raft and maneuver in through the marshes to get there. That's how all the fish gets transported out of there.

Yeah, Deslocke will have further actions in Kern...

Rather than a raft, Deslocke will attempt to see if the party can charter or purchase a small 30' Coaster and then either tow or have aboard two flat bottom, very shallow draft swamp boats (like a rowboat but flat keels for marshes). Two 10' swamp boats that can each hold a max of four people should do nicely.

I will assume all of you are in rented rooms near Kern University.

...Deslocke is very tied up in his research and has many leads to follow up on. He will ask any guide, merchant or others familiar with the marshes around Port Innsmouth if it is possible for someone to navigate the marshes on foot. If not, Deslocke will attempt to find someone (e.g. a merchant) who goes to Port Innsmouth on a regular basis so if Deslocke needs to catch up to the party, he has a way there.

If Deslocke is able to find a small Coaster or medium sized fishing boat for charter or purchase that can hold two flat bottom boats, Deslocke my go along with the party and stay on the larger ship while the party takes the smaller boats.

Fishing - Deslocke will go down to the docks and talk to criers and see exactly how the fishing in other places "dried up". Was it all of a sudden or did it diminish over time (if so, how long)? With fish stockpiles reduced, have there been other impacts (e.g. shrimp population explodes because there aren't any fish eating them, the shark population diminishes as they don't have food, local sea bird populations diminish as they don't have fish to eat either...).

Navy - Kern is reknown for its powerful navy. Deslocke will interview (by buying drinks or meals) Navy servicemen (both some officers and rankers) and see what they know about the pirates, Port Innsmouth, the fishing concern, and other issues.

Gabby's Condition - Deslocke will attempt to get the names of some of the other patients that the healers/ priests/ etc. mentioned and speak with the relatives and friends of these people. Deslocke will listen to their stories and attempt to draw links to Gabby's situation concentrating on how the condition is contracted, what the period of infection might be, once scales are evident, what the speed of progression is, and what symptoms we're going to see next.

...if Deslocke needs to hire an additional street urchin to help track some of these people down quickly, Deslocke will do so.

...Deslocke is very tied up in his research and has many leads to follow up on. He will ask any guide, merchant or others familiar with the marshes around Port Innsmouth if it is possible for someone to navigate the marshes on foot. If not, Deslocke will attempt to find someone (e.g. a merchant) who goes to Port Innsmouth on a regular basis so if Deslocke needs to catch up to the party, he has a way there. ~~~ There is a road that goes there. Not many use it, but a coach goes there every couple of weeks, usually just carrying Innsmouthers. Nobody in there right mind goes to Port Innsmouth regularly. All shipments of fish are sent brought out by the locals rafts and brought to merchant ships up the coast. You speak with an older man, a former merchant and he says, "some of the old-timers tell about the black reef off the coast - Devil Reef, they call it. It's well above water a good part of the time, and never much below it, but at that you could hardly call it an island. The story is that there's a whole legion of devils seen sometimes on that reef - sprawled about, or darting in and out of some kind of caves near the top. It's a rugged, uneven thing, a good bit over a mile out, the pirates are even terrified of them, but they tolerate it to as it keeps the authorities away."

Another man, a sailor or middle age says, "There certainly is a strange kind of streak in the Innsmouth folks - I don't know how to explain it but it sort of makes you crawl. You'll notice a little in Sargent if you take his coach. Some of 'em have queer narrow heads with flat noses and bulgy, starry eyes that never seem to shut, and their skin ain't quite right. Rough and scabby, and the sides of the necks are all shriveled or creased up. Get bald, too, very young. The older fellows look the worst - fact is, I don't believe I've ever seen a very old chap of that kind. Guess they must die of looking in the glass! Only normal looking Innsmouthian I've seen is that Professor Arkham that works in the University. If you do take the stage coach over I wouldn't recommend staying over night there. Better you head in during sunrise and head out before night fall. I've heard stories of things happening, bad things, like people going crazy or disappearing."

Another man, a former tax collector says, "Nobody can ever keep track of these people, and state officials and census men have a devil of a time. You can bet that prying strangers ain't welcome around Innsmouth. I've heard personally of more'n one church or government man that's disappeared there, and there's loose talk of one who went crazy and is in some loony bin now. They must have fixed up some awful scare for that fellow.

If Deslocke is able to find a small Coaster or medium sized fishing boat for charter or purchase that can hold two flat bottom boats, Deslocke my go along with the party and stay on the larger ship while the party takes the smaller boats. ~~~ You can find one to rent, but none will pilot the Flat bottom boats. They will bring you within 5 miles and you can paddle in from there.

Fishing - Deslocke will go down to the docks and talk to criers and see exactly how the fishing in other places "dried up". Was it all of a sudden or did it diminish over time (if so, how long)? With fish stockpiles reduced, have there been other impacts (e.g. shrimp population explodes because there aren't any fish eating them, the shark population diminishes as they don't have food, local sea bird populations diminish as they don't have fish to eat either...). ~~~ A captain you talk with says, "The fish still seem to be there, they just seem to know to avoid our nets, like something taught them suddenly to avoid them. If those Innsmouth people didn't do enough, they also sell a bunch of jewelry here. It's made from some pretty gems and coral and stuff."

Navy - Kern is reknown for its powerful navy. Deslocke will interview (by buying drinks or meals) Navy servicemen (both some officers and rankers) and see what they know about the pirates, Port Innsmouth, the fishing concern, and other issues. ~~~ See above.

Gabby's Condition - Deslocke will attempt to get the names of some of the other patients that the healers/ priests/ etc. mentioned and speak with the relatives and friends of these people. Deslocke will listen to their stories and attempt to draw links to Gabby's situation concentrating on how the condition is contracted, what the period of infection might be, once scales are evident, what the speed of progression is, and what symptoms we're going to see next. ~~~ You speak to some families who have gone to doctors and all have the same stories. Condition is discovered, and it's found they have some relationship to someone in Innsmouth. Eventually they would just ignore it, but most just moved away or disappeared. Nowadays people with those conditions just hide it. Gabby's condition is the most progressive they have ever seen.

...if Deslocke needs to hire an additional street urchin to help track some of these people down quickly, Deslocke will do so.

Subtract a total of 100gps for bribes, drinks and hiring to get the info you've gotten up until now.

...if for some reason Deslocke is not able to accompany the party all the way into Port Innsmouth, perhaps Deslocke is still doing research, Deslocke requests that the party contribute 200 gps to Deslocke to cover his costs and so that he can extend a very generous tip for his two pages/ guides.

Deslocke will continue in his research...

Deslocke will share all he has found out so far with Gabby and Norrin.

Norrin will kick in 100 gp for Deslockes work.

Norrin isn't much of a people person, but will use his History skills (+13) and try to find as much background information as possible from public archives. He'll look for fishing trends and aquatic races in the area and also scaly rashes/transformations (+13 in Arcana).

Deslocke already found all of that info. Go ahead and re-read what I already posted.

Ross wrote:... I've heard stories of things happening, bad things, like people going crazy or disappearing."

...and there's loose talk of one who went crazy and is in some loony bin now.

Gabby will chip in 100gp too.
"Deslocke, see if you can find out who & where this guy is. I say we bust him out & take him with us. He can probably provide us with useful information on our trip. I'll make sure he stays safe and we may help him confront his demons as he helps us." -Gabby

You find him at the Kern sanitarium and you discover he has no family, and no friends that have visited him in years. Nobody is paying any bills for his stay, and he's basically a burden to them. You mention you might be able to help him, so they agree that if you will sign a release stating you take responsibility for him, plus 30 gold they will allow you to check him out. You get the feeling that they know you want him for something, but don't care. His name is Frederick Browning.

Deslocke says "Gabby, shortround here (points to street urchin) will take you to around to the guy's relatives and to the "crazy houses" to try to find him. I'll stay here with my books. While you're out, will you please pick me up a pork dough wrap with extra onions? Let me know if you find him."

I will use streetwise +9 to add what I can to this. Hopefully find out information about Gabby's father.

Nobody has heard of anyone fitting Gabby's father description. It's possible he's never been to Kern.

Very well. Once all your brainiacs are done I am ready to take the road to this fishing town and kill everyone and everything as needed. When in doubt let the god's sort it all out.

Ross wrote:...they agree that if you will sign a release stating you take responsibility for him, plus 30 gold they will allow you to check him out. ...His name is Frederick Browning.

Done.
"Fredrick, I'm Gabrielle and you'll be staying with a friend of mine tonight... his name is Deslocke. We're all going to help you, so try to answer his questions as best as you can. What can you tell us about before you came to stay here?"
"Deslocke, couldn't find any wraps, but I found a friend who's been where we're going. Try to find out what you can & I'll go out again and get us some dinner & beers."
On the way I'll try to gather all the PCs who came with us & have them help Gabby carry food/drink, and join us at Deslocke's hotel room...

Frederick has a vacant stare to him, and doesn't interact at all, but follows when lead. Think Dustin Hoffman in Rain Man. When you are around talking and mention Port Innsmouth he freaks out screaming, "No, no, the horror" and he starts beating his head into the wall.

I am turning the Kern actions into a Skill Challenge as of right now.
When you post an action list what you think is the appropriate skill(s) that might apply to your action, along with your total points for that(those) skill(s).

Your goal is to find certain information. Some have already done a lot and they will receive credit for that. A hint I'll give you is, "What the hell are we doing in Kern?"

Deslocke says to all the other party members at breakfast...

"Okay everyone, I think we've learned all we can here in Kern. I strongly suggest that we make for Port Innsmouth at once. Only there can we get closer to the truth. Kern is a fine metropolis with comfortable inns, fine food, and lots of knowledge for bookworms like me and it was on the way, but we need to complete our trip. I suppose the only question is, by road or by sea? I suggest we go by road but bring the two small rowboats with us on wagons. I strongly suspect the answers we seek lie off shore, or in the marshes surrounding Port Innsmouth. Better prepared than caught by surprise."

So I take it the answer to my hint is 'Nothing'? Then Skill Challenge = FAIL

Ross wrote:A hint I'll give you is, "What the hell are we doing in Kern?"

Ross wrote:So I take it the answer to my hint is 'Nothing'? Then Skill Challenge = FAIL

Usually, a hint gives some clue or insight as to a direction we should consider. I don't see it either. By your tone, I would have guessed we're supposed to leave Kern too...
This is a hint:

Dwarmaj wrote:Hmm, DM thinking to self... It sure would be nice is a certain PC new what type of armor they wore. It might be useful in a situation like this...

...and we followed that hint.

I'll have to give more of a hint then.

Someone has come to Kern to meet with someone here.
You have rented rooms at Kern University...I wonder why you did that?

Sounds like Stu's department. I will do an insight check for that (+6) and I will take a -6 penalty for not caring and not paying attention.

Try reading the first post in this string of messages.

Ross wrote:Try reading the first post in this string of messages.

(from the first post, here's the only thing I saw relating to Kern:)
"On the way the party met Dean and Samuel Winchester who were searching for their father Jonathan. He sent them a message awhile ago saying he was searching for a man who had many aliases, including Abdul Hazard. The party pointed them in the direction he went when they met him a few months previous, which was towards Kern."

"Deslocke, with your 'spy network' that you set up, can you track down the Winchesters? (aka Hazard)?"

Deslocke to Gabby (still at the inn in Kern at breakfast)...
"Gabby, I have no such spy network at all, you must be thinking of someone else. I really have not done anything here in Kern that any of the rest of you could not have done. I am not even very good at gathering information and doing research. Unless we want to extend our stay here in Kern for a few days, I suggest that you and Sean go to the University and see what you can find out about Emily. After than, why don't you and Sean hit the local bars and see what you can find out about the Winchesters? I really don't care for bars too much, I'd rather do book research."