Iron Ranger wrote:

It's a body, face down in the wet sand.

Emral drags it up and turns it over, searching it if it’s clearly dead.

Iron Ranger wrote:

Creatures of the deep have nibbled out the poor soul's eyeballs but it is the ship's cooper.
You recall him well; many times you admired the large golden band on his finger.
Emral flips the body, water emptying back to the sea from the cooper's logged clothes and large boots.

Emral checks for the golden band, and goes through the pockets for any useful objects.  As usual he looks for the best way to bury the corpse respectfully.

Emral, being practical by nature, inspects the band to see if he was right about it being from a Hyperborean family. Perhaps with an enchantment, as the ancient families were wont to do.

Emral puts the ring on, then drags the body to the pool of fish.

Is it draining water or will the pool stick around until high tide?

Iron Ranger wrote:

Emral grabs the cooper's corpse under the armpits and starts dragging the poor pirate out of the surf to higher ground. The struggle is hard, the dead sailor a dead weight.
Emral pulls on though toward the pool. 

A sudden pain shoots up Emral's leg and he looks down, he has unearthed a sharp shell against the underside of his bare foot, and the blood flows.

-1 HP

 

Emral grunts and limps away along his footsteps in the sand.

Is the sharp shell found in the area with no shells on the surface?

Yes.  Was the body dropped around the area that didn't have shells?  That's what I'm getting at.

Iron Ranger wrote:

There are no shells on the beach, just sand. Except one large black boot that must have pulled off the dead cooper's body during the dragging.

You found some dung in a tiny rivulet.

but there must be shells under the sand.

What is he wearing?  Full inventory.

Iron Ranger wrote:

Torn breeches.
Ripped poet blouse.
One large hard leather boot.

And the other boot is on the ground?

Grab boots, wear them.  Wrap foot in the shirt first.

Checking out the hilt, drawing the dagger (?).  Does it have a special sheath in the boot to strap on?

Iron Ranger wrote:

A slender dagger slips out of a concealed sheath within the boot.
The blade is made from a flawless and bright metal, so bright it seems to be illuminated from the inside.

Nice!  Emral wears the boots and puts the dagger into the sheath for now. He puts the ring on his left hand.

“Now to find a stick, and maybe see if I can give you a proper burial. You have given me a chance at survival, friend.”

Emral is still going to walk up stream, not into the marsh.  Wet feet are feet that get gangrene, etc.

+500 XP