Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh (This is the Game Thread)

[Jenara]

The footprints appear to be human, heavy booted humans, and now he looks closer they don't appear that old... It is if they were made to look that way.

[Robbo]

Seeing an opportunity to impress, Gunter crouches down on his knees and examines the prints closer.

"I'd say these are human...with heavy boots on," he scratches his beard absently, "although, it almost seems as if someone wanted these to look older than they actually are...spooky."

He glances up at Searos, "do you know of any way someone could do that?"

[HorizonsDream]

"Older than they actually are?" Echo asks thoughtfully. "Kind of like covering your tracks in the woods in a way, except instead of using a stick or whatever, they are using dust and debris. That would also suggest that someone else has been in this house recently."

[JadedDM]

"Why would someone do that? Unless...they knew we were coming?" Amon frowns at the thought.

[Breila]

"Well, it would not be unheard of that people use a house that is said to be haunted to do things inside that they don't want anyone to know about." Kim offers. "And we were speaking of coming here in the inn last evening. Many will have heard us. There was time enough during the night and in the morning to set up things for us to drive us away. This could also explain why the illusions are still that powerful."

[Jenara]

"I wonder if there are any other tracks." Brax ponders, watching Searos closely. "Perhaps you should look at the drawer Master Searos and we can investigate further."

[JadedDM]

"To be honest, Mage Kim, I find that idea quite worrying. For one thing, these illusions are quite potent. It would take a very powerful wizard to conjure them up. I'm not even certain my master could produce such vivid illusions," Amon explains. "If the mage who weaved these spells is still alive and active, he is far more powerful than the rest of us put together."

[HorizonsDream]

"It could be that whoever has been in this house recently is just using the illusions to their advantage," Echo points out with a shrug. That made more sense to her than a very powerful wizard living in this house. "Whatever the case may be here, we should probably continue on so we can figure out what is going on around here instead of just guessing as to what is going on around here."

[The_Muffin_Man]

Searos wanders over to the lock on the desk and starts to examine it, removing a small leather case from his belt. At the same time he mutters about Brax's terse tone with him. "Alright, alright, don't get your webs in a bunch..."

He pokes at the lock a bit and selects a few various pieces of wire, holding them between his lips. He begins to attempt to pick the lock and then stops suddenly and looks around the room. "This house is booby trapped to the hells and back..." He then begins to check the lock for traps.

(Check traps! Though unfortunately, invisible castle is down now.)

[Breila]

With an eye on Searos's work, Kim continues the conversation with Amon and Echo. "I agree with Echo, I don't think a powerful mage would choose to live in a ruin like this. But people might use this ruin to their ends, and they need not live here. Once you've seen through the illusions, they don't affect you any longer, right? So people could come here and do nearly anything they wish, protected by the illusions and people's fear of the place."

[Robbo]

Gunter clears his throat and points at the gash in his side.

"i'd also like to point out that one of these 'illusions' shot me with a very real feeling bolt. If that speaks to even a hint of this mage's power then I can't wait to see what other goodies he has waiting for us in this little fun house..."

[Jenara]

The lock is really simple, just a plain drawer lock really, Searos had seen enough to know it would open quite easily. However his desire to check for traps pays off, finding a simple needle designed to pierce the skin of whoever tries to open the lock.

Moving the needle aside with His dagger the lock opens with an audible click.

The drawer contains a number of papers and a small pile of rolled up cloths.

"I sense something here, despite theillusions.." Brax mumbles, ignoring the looks from the others.

"That reminds me." Reaching forwards she places her long thin fingers on Gunters wound, the healing spell flows from her fingers, repairing the wound instantly.

Gunter heals 7hp.

[The_Muffin_Man]

Searos grins to himself and for his own amusement quietly goes "ta-da!" He then reaches into the drawer to rummage around and see the spoils of his "labors."

[Jenara]

The papers are mostly receipts for alchemy supplies, however routing through them he finds a old Credit note for 20gp. To the back of the drawer there is a gold locket on a chain, inside is a picture of a young girl.

Opening the cloths is a small glass vial, filled with a purple liquid.

(Apprasing check for the locket?)

[The_Muffin_Man]

Searos pockets the 20gp credit, glances through the receipts to see if there are any dates on them and then pulls out the locket. "Ooo... looks we've got a pretty." He rolls the locket around in his hands and begins to examine it.

(Invisible Castle appears to be gone... do you have a different site you'd like us to use?)