Ghosts of Saltmarsh by Dylanthalas

Kulogall & Elwyn - It's a beautiful view.

"Hey, you should all come up here. It's a lovely view from this window." Elwyn shouts down to the others.

Ruby will come up with the two siblings once she hears Elwyn. "Wow, it really is pretty." She says, daydreaming a bit before snaping back, noticing the damaged and dirty floor. "So, do we want to find a place to rest or should we get going back to town?"

"You were really brave down there in the sea cave Ruby, really brave." Elwyn says as they stand admiring the view, putting a hand on the haflings shoulder.

"Thanks." She says, smiling widely at Elwyn but looking kinda tired, after all she almost died. Twice. "I am lucky to have you guys with me." 

"Well, we all made a pretty good team down there, didn't we." Elwyn says smiling back at Ruby. "You look weary Ruby, and no surprise with what you've been through. We should get you back to the Wicker Goat for a hot meal and a bed."

Ariana agrees with Kulogall that they should turn the slavers in to the authorities. She follows Ruby upstairs and nods along with her and Elwyn as they recount the afternoon. She, too, is ready to head back and get some much needed rest.

Investigation 4 

"You two made an awesome front line couple." Elwyn says appreciatively to Ruby and Ariana. "Are you sure you two haven't trained together on taking down slavers and the undead?" He asks with a wide smile.

Ariana pulls out her quarterstaff and twirls it into a monk form, with a battle-ready look on her face. Then she relaxes and laughs.

Kulogall says "I can't quite make it out, but I think this window might be where they are signaling from.  It has a great view of the bay here and this is the window we saw when we swam out.  Anyway... should we tie up our prisoners and march them back to town?  How should we handle Sanbalet and... my brother?"

"Yes, actions do speak louder than words Ariana." Elwyn says with a wink and a smile.

"We should of course be extra careful with Sanbalet and your brother Kulogall. I guess we could check with the Captain if he deems it possible for Saltmarsh to hold them safely under lock and key. Otherwise we just might have to bring them back to Waterdeep ourselves." Elwyn responds. "Either way, going back to Saltmarsh now sounds like a really good idea." He adds and readies himself for the journey back.

Assuming they get all prisoners and Cal's body with them somehow Elwyn would be ploinking on his lute on the way back. "So you will lead us back there, right Kulogall, to take care of the rest of the child murdering slavers. If we're going on more adventures together perhaps we should give ourselves a name, like....The Tempest of Justice...or something, whatever would strike a chord with you all." He finishes, doing just that on his lute.

Ariana holds up the cell key. "Walking five prisoners back to town on a four hour walk, two of which are unconscious and spellcasters, seems a risky endeavor. The cells they're in now should hold, as Wake fixed them up with his magic. We can do whatever Kulogall wants with Xolo—lock him up here, take him with, whatever—but the rest of them, I'd say, can stay in the cells. We can draw a map of where to find them so the Captain's men can easily retrieve them."

Wake will help get Xolo loaded and comfortable in the boat and be sure to retrieve (and clean from the rot grub grossness, Cal’s(?) shield). He’ll also retrieve and stow Terry’s traps.

Although he is no sailor, his strong back is willing to take an oar. He will hide his unease in placing ourselves in the influence of the ***** Queen, especially how we’ve just shown up her and her chosen.

Let’s just say, he’ll be in near constant prayer to Selune asking for Guidance for the duration of the cruise for himself and for everyone else.

Before we shove off, he will reset Vigilant Blessing on himself.

Wake will look at the boat for any distinctive markings or name on the vessel. He will want to alter or remove a name before setting sail.

”We don’t want to tip our hand, should there be a portmaster or dock worker that is in on the grift.” He will say to anyone who wonders what he is doing.

He’ll be mindful of being able to switch back any changes made, should we wish to use this boat in a sting operation to capture more smugglers later.

Wake - You're able to wash off any detritus from the items in the sea water by the boat. The boat appears as nondescript as any other, no designations nor identifying markings that you can see, though the sails have been dyed black. The boat can be propelled by oar without the sail, though it will be a strenuous two hours for whoever is rowing.

"So we're leaving Sanbalet and the slavers here then? Isn't that a bit risky? They likely have allies that might turn up and free them right? Just saying." Elwyn points out as they get ready to leave with the boat in the sea cave.

All - The trip to Saltmarsh by sea is uneventful. Maintaining a distance of roughly half a mile from the shoreline, you're treated to a view of the cliffs, beaches, and coves that line the shore. The sun begins to set by the time you approach Saltmarsh, painting the sky a brilliant orange that begins to fade to deep purple. You find an open slip and heave to alongside a barnacle encrusted dock. The tide is in and the water level is high enough at the moment to allow everyone to step directly from the boat to the dock. A stevedore watches you tie off and begins walking in your direction along the dock, "Hail! Need any help unloadin'?"

"No, thanks for asking, but if you please could get Captain Fireborn for us, we have caught some miscreants that would need to be taken care of by the law." Elwyn says as he climbs ashore.

Wake will flip the dockworker a silver piece for the effort.

”Thank you for helping us.” He says with a genuine smile.

Elwyn - The stevedore frowns and shifts uncomfortably, "Eh... 'could see if I kin find a guard or somethin'... My shift is about over..." His tune quickly changes when he catches the silver piece that Wake tosses him, "Firs' round's on you tonight then, thank ye kindly. I'll go fetch Cappin' Eliander fer ye." He returns will the large Captain in tow, pointing to where your boat is moored before departing to find a tavern. Eilander's wooden leg CLOMPS on the decking as he makes his way over to you, "Hail! What've you found?" As you begin to share the details of the excursion he interrupts and says, "Whoa, whoa whoa, there's a lot to unpack here. Let's get this fellow locked up," Indicating Xolo, who is beginning to stir by this point, "and discuss this at the jail." A half hour later Xolo is awake and sitting on a rough bench inside a jail cell. He his leaning forward, his head in his hands and his arms resting on his legs. Captain Eliander listens as you fill him in on all that happened. He stops you after you mention the criminals still locked in cages beneath the house and sends a patrol force to fetch them before bidding you to continue. It is almost 10pm by the time the tale is told and Eliander stretches with a yawn, then says, "I guess I can release Manistrad's foreman now that we've found the guilty party. It's a shame about Cal and Corrine. Your description of the body matches what I recall about the young man. I can break the news to Hana myself if you aren't comfortable doing it. It's getting late, but I'd like to question Xolo since you're here. He might be more apt to talk with a familiar face around. I'll have to call a council meeting tomorrow to brief the other councilors and determine our next course of action. I'd like to have you all in attendance if you're willing to oblige. Shall we go question Xolo?"

Any that would join the Captain for questioning will find a pair of stools set outside Xolo's cell. Eliander squats onto one and says, "Mr. Xolo, we'd like to ask you a few questions if you're amenable to that. From what I've heard so far some bad things have happened, but I'd like to hear your side of things before I make a report to the council tomorrow." 

Xolo is silent for a few seconds, then sighs and says, "I'll cooperate. I merely took over an already long-running operation. I may not have dealt the blows that killed those young land-kin, nor abducted the slaves trafficked through those caves, but I benefitted from their misery all the same. My only interest in it all was the source of off-the-books coin with which to curry favor with Umberlee... The power she granted me was... Intoxicating. I found myself craving more and more. But the more I accepted her foul gifts the more I lost myself. Her petty rage was my own. My insecurities and prejudices were magnified and my conscious buried... I am not making excuses for my behavior, I chose the path I walked, I am merely explaining how and why." Xolo looks to Kulogall with tears in his eyes and says, "Forgive me, brother. I am ashamed at all that I have caused. All that I have done. This... This is not the way."