Play@YSDC

Everyone returned to the Wharf about the same time and meets up with those standing by the painters, talking to some of them.

Charles approaches Alyssa and Aunt Loosa "That seems to be Howard, the painter. Did you find out anything at the library?" approaching the entire group Charles lower his voice even more "maybe we should ask him something? What do you think?"

Richard turns and looks at the gentleman that Charles is reffering to to get a good look at him and then turns his attention to the ladies response about the visit to the library.

Norman meets with the rest of the group, paper still in hand.

"My observation of the wharf discovered little, but I did notice that quite a few people have gone missing in Rockport lately. Perhaps it would uh, be connected to our mutual friend." He shows the paper to any who wish to see it before turning to Eddie. "And this seems to give us a good excuse to enter a building if we need to. We can say we heard that there were sightings of one of the missing persons in that area of town."

"As for this Howard, I don't see how it could hurt to speak to him."

Richard ask Norman "How many people have gone missing over what period of time?"

"We're going to need more to go on than that," says Eddie to Norman. "Let me see what that paper says. Speaking to the painter is a good idea. We should also examine the metal thing now that the tide's gone out."

Looking through the personal ads you count 7 people missing, the oldest being from April of this year. The latest being from July.

"Nothing that we already knew. Couldn't find a match to those constellations," Alyssa standing next to Charles. "You got any good news Charles?"

Scott listens to the discussion languidly, thumbs hooked through the belt loops of his trousers. He nods at Eddie's recommendation.

"I'm with you Eddie. Lets check out that hatch."

Warren Kaine:

I turn to Eddie, "The missing seven, does it mention their ages?"

Looking at the paper, yes ages are mentioned. It is a wide mix, the youngest being 20, the oldest 64.

Charles turn to Alyssa. "Nothing more than witch one of the painters is Howard." he nods in the painters direction again. "I think we should go speak with him, I was just on my way over there, but maybe someone else has questions as well?" Charles waits to see if someone has anything to add to it and if Alyssa or Aunt Loosa have anything they thought of, ready to go back to the painter.

"We found out the history of the wharf," adds Eddie. "It was built in 1842 by John and Jim Bradley, where they built their fishing and shipping business and their fishing shack. In the 1870s the wharf was extended, and they sold property on it. John's son, John Bradley, Jr., inherited the wharf in 1884. His son Jim got it in 1912, and he sold it along with the business and the shack to Michael Dryver in 1915. Dryver was born in 1868, baptized in 1879, and the records showed he bought the wharf and business in 1915. After that he's been buying and selling boats."

Warren Kaine:

I nod to Scott, "Okay lets go and see what it is".
With my right I gently caress the friendly shape of the .45 in my jacket pocket.

Warren thinking:   And this time someone else can go first and get stuck by the flying knife

I smile to myself as I begin the walk back to the pier.

Scott nods compliantly feeling an inward relief that the steadfast Warren has chosen to accompany him. The pair make their way back towards the barn and soon are standing at the building's far edge, leering down over the edge of the dock where the metal clanging had originated from earlier.

As everyone walks back to the pier you can see the water is down several feet completely uncovering a large bronze plate that has been bolted to the side of the granite blocks. One corner is loose which was causing the clanging noise when the water smashed into it.

There appears to be some engraving on it, but from this angle you cannot read what it says.

Scott attempts to assess the rocks beneath the pier's base and gauge whether or not it would be feasible to climb down.

The rocks look climbable but slick with seaweed and decades of the waves smoothing the rocks.

ooc,to climb down without slipping and falling you need to make a climb roll. If you fail you will slip and fall into the ocean below.

Scott frowns doggedly and looks to Warren.

"I think I can climb down the rocks." he confides. A moment later, he's hoisting himself down the side of the pier, foot sweeping the exposed rock face trying to find purchase.
The ball of his foot finds what he believes is solid rock, but turns out to be a clump of seaweed. An instant later finds him tumbling towards the ocean below.

Richard looks around to see if the is a row boat or some other small boat that would allow them to approach the plate from the ocean, and help get Scott out of the water.