Greyhawk: The Tides of War - Campaign Thread

Before a ladder can be dropped, Eron clambers up the anchor chain, one link at a time, dripping saltwater back into the sea below him.  Perhaps it is the adrenaline boost from the near-encounter, but he bounds up the chain and up over the rail and onto the aft deck remarkably fast.  Looking back down, he catches sight of a hint of movement, a darker silhouette in the dark water.  No fin breaks the surface to betray the presence of the shark... the identity is pre-dawn visitor remains a mystery.

The halfling pirate wizard looks with clear disdain at the ropes Arlynn produces and it is clear his mind is racing for an alternative.  He doesn't seem to find one, and consents to the rope, though not without complaint.  As the party firmly ties Punketah’s hands behind his back, the halfling squirms and frowns.

"Oi, oi! This is a bit much, don’t you think?" he protests, craning his neck to look at the knots. "I just Misty-Stepped into your custody, didn’t I? If I wanted to bolt, I’d have done it already.  This is unnecessary!  Overkill,  really.  And these ropes?  Chafe like barnacles!"

Arlynn continues to tie, binding him tightly, leaving the wizard to sigh and slump dramatically.

"Fine, fine.  Have it your way.  But if my circulation gets cut off, I’m holding all of you responsible."

Once secured, Punketah’s demeanor flips like a coin.  He leans forward as much as the bindings allow, his grin sharp as ever.  " Now then, shall we talk business?  I can see the glint of curiosity in your eyes.  And lucky for you, I’ve got information—valuable, juicy tidbits you won’t get from anyone else.  Coin, secrets, maps... whatever it is you’re after, I might just have it rattling around in this brilliant little head."

Punketah perks up, his grin growing wider.  "Did I overhear the diving prince ask about our lizardfolk guest?  Now that is a story worth telling!  But you’ll understand if I need assurances first, aye?  A proper agreement.  You lot don’t seem the hanging type, but... I’ve no interest in taking my chances with a noose when this is all said and done."   He leans back as far as his bonds allow, giving a pointed look at Fane.

"You get me?  I give you everything I know—about the lizardfolk, the deals, the weapons, everything—but I walk away from this free and clear.  No gallows, no dungeons, no revenge plots.  Just me and the horizon.  Do we have a deal, or shall I keep my secrets to myself?"

He sits down roughly in the middle of the deck and looks up at the party, eyebrows raised expectantly, as he awaits their response.

Chests:

Arlynn worked at the locks on both chests, but neither yielded to her.  They don't seem particularly difficult locks - maybe she just needs more time working on them.

The trap, on the other hands, disarms easily.  The trigger mechanism detaches and hangs limply inside the clasp.  If the lock can be opened, that chest can then be opened safely.

"You know Punketah, you might be right about me not being the hanging type, drowning is more my style really and much simpler considering our current environment." The blue-haired half-elf says with a glare. "As it is you probably do have a noose waiting for you at Saltmarsh, and I wouldn't want to defile these fine waters with the likes of you so I suggest you start talking and we might just talk the council into sparing your life for being very repentant and cooperative with us." She continues with a firm tone, giving no doubts about her sincerity.

Use inspiration for advantage on Intimidation: 13

Later Arlynn would try to open the disarmed chest: 19

Eron pulls out his light hammer with a look of hatred in his eyes, “I seen what you did to Oceanus.  I almost hope you don’t start talking!”

intimidate 7

Fane stares at the hafling, her blades still in her hand. "You heard the lady, start talking. Share all that you know and we will be fair."

Fane would certainly help Arlynn to disarm the chests if you want to roll again for advanage?

Punketah’s cocky façade falters as the blue-haired half-elf glowers down at him, her sharp words sinking in like barbs.  He winces visibly at the mention of drowning, his fingers fidgeting against the ropes, and Eron's hammer only seems to deepen his dread.  For a few moments, he chews on his lip, perhaps weighing his options, but then relents.

"Alright, alright!" he blurts out, his previous swagger replaced with nervous energy.  "You’ve made your point!  I’ll talk." 

He shifts uncomfortably, clearing his throat before launching into his explanation.

"You want the full story?  Here it is.  We didn’t operate in a vacuum. The Sea Ghost had... arrangements.  Partnerships, you could call ‘em, though that feels like giving too much credit to both sides.  Heh.  One of those was with Sanbalet and his lot, those smugglers squatting in that wreck of a mansion you all probably sniffed around before finding us."

He smirks weakly, clearly trying to salvage some pride despite his predicament.

"Sanbalet's crew?  They were the ground operation.  We’d bring in the goods—contraband, weapons, stolen valuables, you name it—and they’d take it inland through their tunnels to buyers who didn’t want prying eyes on their business.  Worked pretty smoothly, really.  They paid us to bring things in andwe trusted Sanbalet to get it distributed.  He was clever, that one, though not half as clever as he thought he was.  Had a flair for theatrics, you know?"  Punketah chuckles dryly, the sound humorless.  "Didn’t stop you lot, though, did it?  Figures.   Sanbalet was a talker, and his crew?  They weren’t exactly subtle.  Word gets around.  I'm sure one of 'em probably got to talking, lead you right to 'em.  Am I right?"

He shifts in his bindings, the rope creaking as he does.  "Not that I was a big fan of those clowns, anyway.  They thought they were untouchable because they had a few traps and a couple of hired swords.  Always talked like they thought we was the junior partners in the relationship.  Captain always said they were useful idiots, but even he didn’t trust them not to stab us in the back if the coin was shiny enough.  Guess that’s the pirate way, eh?"

He takes a long sigh, before continuing.

"Now... The lizardfolk," he begins, "they’re from some tribe out in the Hool Marshes—don’t ask me which, I didn’t care enough to learn their name.  They put out a call for weapons months ago.  Word was, they’re gearing up for some big battle against an enemy they think is better-armed.  Said their bone spears and scaly hides weren’t enough for what’s coming.  The Captain caught wind of it and swooped in, quick as you like.  Offered ‘em armor, shields, steel blades—real quality stuff.  The kind of things you lot probably couldn’t imagine lizardfolk wielding.  But here’s the thing: they got no clue about the value of what they’re buying."

He glances at the party, gauging their reactions.

"The Captain was fleecing them blind," Punketah continues, his tone tinged with bitter admiration. "Taking ‘em for everything they’ve got—jewels, gold, artifacts, you name it.  They’d been sitting on a bloody treasure hoard and didn’t even know it!  By the time the Sea Ghost was done feeding their little war machine, the Captain reckoned we’d be able to afford ships of our own, maybe even get an audience with the Sea Princes."

He watches your faces for a moment, then retorts.

"The Princes are scum," he sneers.  "Pirates playing noble, nothing more.  Wouldn’t trust ‘em with a rowboat, let alone a kingdom.  If the Captain wanted to suck up to those leeches, I say 'good riddance' he’s gone."

Punketah leans back slightly, trying to regain some semblance of control over the conversation.  "As for me?"  He shrugs, though the motion is stiff with the ropes binding him.  "I mostly kept an eye on the weather.  Did some scrying now and then to find favorable tides, helped avoid patrols, that sort of thing.  Mother wouldn't exactly thrilled that her baby boy is playing errand boy for a pirate ship, but... well, the coin spends all the same, don’t it?"

Punketah’s eyes dart around the group again, watching their reactions.  "Now, that’s about all I’ve got on that subject.  You’ve taken down the Sea Ghost, and it sounds like you’ve already cleaned out Sanbalet.  That leaves me wondering what the hell I’m even bargaining for anymore."

His voice drops slightly, edged with bitterness. "So... are we done, or do you want my whole damn life story next?"

Eron shrugs, “Maybe but first, what about Oceanus.  Why did you torture and keep him locked up?”

Punketah rolls his eyes as the questioning turns to the merfolk prisoner, Oceanus.  He shifts uncomfortably in his bindings but finally speaks, his tone weary and defensive.

"You want to know about the fish-man?  Fine.  Caught him snooping around the ship one night, shadowing us like a damned barnacle on the hull.  What were we supposed to do?  Invite him up for a drink?  For all we knew, he was reporting back to a whole pod of his kind, ready to ambush us."

He shrugs, trying to appear nonchalant but clearly uneasy under Eron's accusatory glares.  "Look, keeping him was the Captain's call.  Figured if we held him long enough, we might get a sense of what he was up to, or whether there was some bigger aquatic threat we needed to worry about.  Maybe a rival crew working with the underwater folk?  You think it's easy running contraband on these seas with every scrappy pirate and angry sea-beast out there?"

Punketah hesitates,  then he forces a thin smile.

"As for how we kept him... we didn’t kill him, did we?  Could’ve left him to dry in the sun like a piece of jerky, but we didn’t.  Gave him brine to live in.  Sure, it wasn’t a palace, but he’s alive, isn’t he?"

His eyes dart from one party member to the next.  He adds hastily, "Look, I didn’t exactly have much to do with him personally.  That was the Captain’s and Bjorn's business.  I just stayed out of it.  So, if you want to hate someone, hate them—and you already took care of that, didn’t you?"

Eron leaves Punketah under the care of Arlynn and goes to ready the sails and take the rudder, “Heave haul the anchor men ready the ship as daylight breaks, and give your names men you’ve done very well here!”  He calls to the marines.

Fane could call degrees for navigation. (Not sure if what to roll it is just a feature of Eron’s background to safely guide any ship to land… but sailing/navigating just let me know if a roll is needed)

The blue-haired half-elf listens with a stern stare at the halfling, softening just slightly as he seems to cooperate fully now, just needed a firm reminder of what was at stake. She gives Eron a nod as he leaves to ready the ship, then turning her attention back to their prisoner. "You know Punketah, I believe you, and I will do what I can to have whatever punishment is awaiting you in Saltmarsh less severe, but keep that cooperative attitude up and I might even help you into a better line of business in time, one where you could still send gold home and that would perhaps even make your mother proud. You are a wizard after all, you shouldn't waste your talent as a simple smuggler or pirate." She says with a encouraging smile. "Just play nice for now and we'll see what future we can provide for you."

Insight to try to determine if it will ever be possible to trust Punketah: 21

Arlynn would also seek the advice of Zzplorff on this: 16

Fane sits down next to the halfling.

"You seem like good enough people, if a bit off track. I have no desire to see you hanged, drowned, or worse. I have a few questions about this ship, are you still in the mood to share?"

She will continue without waiting for a response, "What can you tell me about these [will show the two magic hats] and what's up with the magical taxidermized parrot? The captain had a potion, seems like a healing potion, but I detect a bit of necromancy to it, any ideas on that?"

"Lastly, there are two chests that are locked and we don't have keys for, do you know of any hidden keys? Surely they must be somewhere? It's just a matter of time until we open them of course, the traps have all been disarmed, but if you were willing to share what you know, it can only help increase your chances of a free Punketah."

Gonna guess we sail back to Saltmarsh and meet up with the council, with the information we have I believe there will be a lot of follow-up... Depending on how the council feels about the Sea Ghost Eron would love to have the Bilge completely cleaned and re ballasted, he'd also love to perhaps interview some prospective crew?  guessing we would need some if we are allowed to privateer the ship...  Eron feels incredible on board the ship the sea rocking beneath his feet, this is definitely where he feels connected and at one with nature.  Looking around on the journey back he also thinks about his journal and the possibility of Zuggtomey and Iuz, how potentially dangerous such a thing could be...

Punketah raises an eyebrow when Fane brings up the hats and the stuffed parrot.  He leans back slightly, feigning disinterest, but there’s a flicker of curiosity in his eyes.

“The hats, eh? Those were the Captain’s pride and joy.  Always went on about how they were gifts from a sea hag he supposedly courted back in his younger, stupider days.  ‘When I was a dashing rogue,’ he’d say.”  Punketah rolls his eyes.  “He claimed the black one made him more fearsome, and the red one more charming. Maybe that’s why he’d swap them out depending on who he was trying to impress—or intimidate.”

He pauses, tilting his head thoughtfully.  “Now, the hag bit?  I always figured it was just one of his tall tales.  But the hats?  I’ve seen enough to think there’s something to them.  The crew believed it too, though none of us dared to test ‘em.  The Captain guarded those hats like they were made of gold.”

As for the parrot, Punketah chuckles, a hint of derision in his voice.  “That old thing?  That's the bosun’s pet—well, it was until you lot took over, I guess.  Called it ‘Polly,’ as unimaginative as that is.  Had it stuffed after it died.  He was always talking to it, telling it secrets, treating it like a trusted confidant.  I figured he was just a sentimental old fool.  Didn’t think it was magical.  But now you’re saying it has an aura?”

He leans forward slightly, intrigued despite himself. “Huh. Never would’ve guessed. Maybe the bosun knew more than he let on.”

He doesn't know anything about the potion, but suggests that if the Captain had a healing potion, common sense says he would have used it in the battle.

Punketah shrugs, his expression one of forced indifference, but his eyes linger on Fane, as if gauging what she’ll do with the information.  “So, what’s the plan?  You gonna try the hats on and see if they turn you into a fearsome charmer or a charming terror?”

Arlynn, your gut tells you this guy will be difficult to trust.  He ran with a crew of murderous thieves and even now seems to only be sharing details with you to keep himself alive.  Perhaps he could be won over as an ally later, but its hard to tell.

Zzplorff just shrugs its tentacles and suggests throwing him into the sea.  The sea is a good judge of character.

The Sea Ghost creaks softly in the dawn light as Eron and the marines move briskly across its deck, preparing the ship for departure.  They work with the efficiency of seasoned sailors, though the effort of manning such a large vessel with so few hands was evident.  The anchor chain rattled as it was hauled up, and sails unfurled under their careful guidance, catching the morning breeze.

Fane and Arlynn pitch in where they can, though their attention is split, with the halfling wizard under their guard.  Occasionally, one of the marines would bark a hurried instruction, their tone strained but not unkind.  Meanwhile, Punketah sat bound and under constant watch, his sharp eyes taking in the chaotic flurry of activity with an air of amusement.

The ship groaned as it caught the wind and began to glide away from the smuggler's cove, the coastline receding behind them.  The sea was mercifully calm, its steady rhythm lulling the group into a tired but determined silence.  Despite the physical strain, the journey is blessedly short, and the sun has only just risen fully by the time the outline of Saltmarsh appeared on the horizon.

As the Sea Ghost neared the docks, Eron calls out final instructions to ensure their arrival would go smoothly.  Ropes are coiled, sails furled, and the ship slowed as they approached.  The marines leapt into action once more, bringing the vessel into dock as carefully as conditions allow.

By the time the ship is secured, the town was just beginning to stir.  The smell of fresh bread and saltwater mingled in the morning air as the Sea Ghost settles into the harbor, a sight that would surely draw the attention of Saltmarsh’s early risers.

Indeed, as the gangplank is lowered, a crowd of dockworkers gathers, murmurs spreading about this unexpected arrival.  A pair of Saltmarsh guards, roused by the commotion, approach with cautious strides, their hands hovering near their weapons.

One of the marines steps forward and raises his voice to address the onlookers.  “This ship is now property of Saltmarsh!  By order of the council, it will be inspected and its contents inventoried.  Make way and let us do our work!”

The guards nod, and begin clearing the crowd from the dock.  The marines begin unloading what they can, carefully stacking crates and barrels on the dock while one of them relays instructions to a harbormaster who has just arrived. 

The blue-haired half-elf smiles to herself at Zzplorff's mental comment. It it had it's way then likely everything and everyone would be thrown into the sea. Perhaps this Punketah simply was too unreliable to recruit though. She keeps listening to him, then looking to Fane and Eron about trying out the hats. She also takes a good look at the hats, considering trying them on if she thinks they would look nice on her.

On the way back to Saltmarsh, Arlynn would try to be useful where she can, otherwise admiring the sea.
"Should we perhaps report in?" She asks Eron and Fane as they come ashore.

Eron’s eyes are scanning the crowd looking for Eliander Tom or Will, “It would be a very good idea Arlynn I just wanna be sure Captain Fireborn made it back okay.  We need to deliver Punketah and I’m hoping to personally commend our marines to Tom and Will for their invaluable service.”  As Eron scans there are a few familiar faces, he waves to those he knows.

Fane will put obvious valuables that haven't been dolled out into the bag of holding, including the unopened chests if they will fit.

"Hi Polly, my name is Fane. I'd love to talk to you, share some secrets later. Is there anything I can bring you?" with that she will put Polly in the bag of holding for later.

She will flip through Punk's spell book before placing it into the bag also.

Fane will let Eron and the marines take control of the details at this point, keeping an eye on Punketah until he is taken by the authorities.

[I missed a question for Punketah.  The exotic wood chest was brought by the lizardfolk.  Punketah believes it is payment for the current shipment of weapons.  The other chest, he recognizes as the bosun's personal chest.  He has no idea what might be inside. ]

As the party busies themselves with securing the ship and catching their breath, the sound of a heavy peg on the dock announces the arrival of Eliander Fireborn.  The Captain of the Saltmarsh Guard looks as though he has endured a long and grueling night; his eyes were shadowed, his face drawn, but his bearing remained resolute.

He casts a sharp eye over the Sea Ghost and nodded appreciatively.  “Outstanding work,” he said, his gravelly voice carrying a note of genuine admiration.  “You’ve not only shut down this smuggling ring but secured the ship and a prisoner.  Saltmarsh owes you a great deal for this.”

Eliander’s gaze shifted to Punketah, who sat bound and guarded near the main mast.  The halfling pirate stiffened under the Guard Captain’s scrutiny.  “As for you,” Eliander continued, his tone turning hard, “we’ll see how talkative you are under formal interrogation.  And after that…” He let the sentence hang, the implication clear: the gallows awaited.

At this, Punketah’s bravado cracked.  He leaned forward, raising his voice in a mixture of pleading and indignation.  “Wait! You can’t just string me up like some common cutthroat!  I’ve been helpful, haven’t I?  I told them everything!  Everything!  Without me, they wouldn’t know half of what’s been going on with the lizardfolk or the smugglers.  That’s worth something, isn’t it?”

Eliander’s face darkened.  He crossed his arms and loomed over the halfling.  “Worth something?” he repeated coldly.   "You think spilling a bit of the truth absolves you of a life of piracy and murder?  You’ve preyed on innocents, consorted with smugglers, and who knows what else.  The only mercy a pirate deserves is a swift date with a strong rope.”

Punketah’s eyes darted desperately to the party. “You—you lot!  You can vouch for me, right?  You know what I told you was true.  Speak up, for the gods’ sakes!”

Eliander glanced at the party, his expression grim.  “Neither, Saltmarsh, nor the Keoish crown, has a soft heart when it comes to pirates.”  Those still remaining on the docks have all stopped their work to gawk at this tense conversation.

As Fane placed the stuffed parrot in the bag, she hears the faintest whisper in her ear...

“There may be some trouble on the horizon.  There were Lizardfolk being fleeced by the pirates for a sizable amount of weapons.  There may be more information to be gathered also, a merfolk prisoner Oceanus was freed back to the sea from the Sea Ghost once he has returned home for a bit I suspect we’ll hear more from him again.  Which leads me to my next point of interest, might an arrangement be made for us to gain the captain-ship of this recovered vessel?  You know I would love nothing more than a chance to sail such a craft!”  Eron keeps his eyes looking for Tom and Will.  “Punketah after seeing Oceanus condition and hearing all you’ve said, I’d be content to see you serve a lifelong sentence in a deep dark prison, I’d rather not kill you outright but perhaps you should consider between the two choices.  If you by some miracle find your way free, change yourself and pray we never meet again.”

Eliander listens intently as Eron speaks, his expression thoughtful.  When Eron finishes, Eliander nods.

“You bring important news, Eron.  If the lizardfolk are arming themselves and paying such exorbitant prices, it raises questions we can’t afford to ignore.  I’ll call a council meeting at once.  Your full report will be vital, and the council will want to hear it directly from you all.”

He glances at the Sea Ghost, his lips pressing into a thin line.

“As for the vessel, the decision of her fate is not mine alone to make. The council will deliberate on its future—whether she becomes part of the town’s defense, is sold to fund our coffers, or is awarded to you and your companions for your service. Make your case when the time comes.”

His eyes harden as he shifts his gaze to Punketah.

“As for this one, the king’s justice will be served, and no pirate can expect clemency from Saltmarsh.  If he’s cooperative, perhaps we will let him choose between a quick drop, or a slow rot in a dark cell.”  As Eliander signals for the guards to take Punketah away, the halfling wizard’s face contorts in a mix of defiance and desperation.

“You lot think you’ve won, but you’ve no idea what’s out there, do you?  You’ll see.  You’ll need people like me when the tide turns, mark my words!”

He glares at Eron in particular, his voice dripping with venom.

“And you!  Preaching about second chances and change, as if you’ve never had blood on your hands!  If I ever get loose, you’d better hope the sea takes me before I find you again!”

Despite his bluster, there’s an underlying note of fear in Punketah’s words, and as the guards drag him away, his muttering grows quieter, fading into the din of the waking port.

Eliander straightens, adjusting his sword belt as he takes a final look at the Sea Ghost and the party.  “There’s no time to waste. I’ll summon the council members immediately.  Be at the council hall within the hour to give your full report—leave nothing out.  Once again, Saltmarsh’s safety could depend on what you’ve uncovered.”  With that, Eliander turns sharply on his peg, his stride purposeful as he marches off toward the town center, his red cape fluttering in the morning breeze.  

Not seeing his marine commanders on the dock, Eron makes a brief detour to the small beach house that serves as the marines’ headquarters.  He takes a moment to personally commend the two marines who had accompanied them on the mission, highlighting their bravery and dedication during the operation aboard the Sea Ghost.  When Tom and Will hear Eron’s praise, they are visibly pleased.  They discuss hosting a fish bake in the men’s honor—a modest gesture given their limited resources but one they believe will bolster morale among the marines. 

The blue-haired half-elf hesitated to speak but she was somehwat relieved that the halfling likely would avoid the noose at least. She could understand Saltmarsh needed to punish him but she knew all to well what poor decisions desperation could bring out in a person. A part of her even wanted to save the halfling, what if he was right, they could probably have good use of him, if only he would be more trustworthy...

Arlynn would use the hour to get back to her room at the Wicker Goat to at least freshen up a bit and grab a quick bite. She was curious to see how the respective council members reacted to their success and what was revealed regarding the lizardfolk. She was fairly certain there were plots to unveil. Within the hour she would turn up et the Council Hall, ready to report, and observe.

Fane watches them take the wizard prisoner away with mixed feelings. Seems like a waste to imprison someone with obvious arcane abilities. However she is just a visitor in Saltmarsh so she will leave it up to others to pass judgement and punishment. Looking over at Arlynn, she wonders if the blue haired elf is having similar thoughts. Fane shakes her head when the halfling threatens Eron, "that's not going to help your cause" she thinks to herself.

Fane will share with the other two the brief conversation she had with Polly. "There is more to that bird then some simple enchantment I believe, and my gut tells me it is probably not something good. However it may have useful knowledge of what's going on in the area, so I'm going to head back to the Goat and try and talk with it."

Back in the room, before we meet with the council, Fane will ritual cast Comprehend Languages [just in case] and pull Polly out of the bag. She will offer it a shining silver piece and begin talking with it. Cautiously.  Fane will try and determine what sort of creature/magic it is, and what it may know about the pirates and lizard folk in the area.