"your story is safe amongst me and my companions" Irob says nodding to any party members that may be in the room. "Although unless necessary they won't know the intricacies. Should you need aid you need only ask," Irob pauses for a brief moment before adding "friend"
Meanwhile Yakeerk heads to the Town Council. Kate Lapsia greeted him and let him into the gallery where interested citizens could sit and watch proceedings. The session was just about to start. Town Council members present included:
Eda Oweland - the Mayor and mother of Tom Oweland. Her votes count as two votes. One for herself as a Councillor and one for the office of Mayor. She is a Traditionalist.
Anders Solmer - the youngest ever Saltmarsh Councillor. He is a swing voter, sometimes voting with Traditionalists and sometimes with the Loyalists. He tries to work out what is going to be best for the fishing industry, which is his main business.
Gellan Primewater - the party have met Gellan, an older man always immaculately dressed and today is no exception. Gellan almost always votes with Eda and his interests are aligned with the Traditionalist faction.
Manistrad Copperlocks - A female noble-looking dwarf with copper coloured hair and resting *****-face. She is in charge of the dwarven miners, and has been given a seat on the Town Council on orders of the Crown. She is aligned with the Loyalists.
Eliander Fireborn - The Crown’s representative on the Town Council, Eliander is overall Commander of Saltmarsh's defences, including the Town Guard, the Trellish Royal Marines, and the Saltmarsh Militia. The party met his daughter, Carmilla Fireborn, at the dinner at Primewater Mansion. Eliander is a staunch Loyalist.
Chandler Aerakin - A human male in his sixties, with male pattern baldness which only adds to his stern expression. Chandler does not tie himself to any faction, voting only to further Saltmarsh's interests, which are tied up with his own.
The Town Council meeting started with dealing with some items on the agenda. The Makaster House event is the last item to be dealt with.
1. First item is the skyrocketing prices of some fish on the market. With less fishers willing to put out to sea at night, the amount of Black Grouper and Arrow Squid on the market is far less and the prices have increased accordingly. Squid in particular is a popular export fish. Anders Solmor asks for naval ships to be sent out at night to investigate the fishers' stories of strange events and creatures. The motion is carried to petition the crown for aid.
2. Three disputes between fishers are dealt with, and one between merchants. Witnesses, complainants, and defenders are called to give evidence. Rulings are made. This takes the Town Council meeting to lunchtime and beyond and is very boring (to anyone except the complainants and the defenders).
3. Eliander Fireborn raises the issue of Saltmarsh needing a magistrate so that disputes can be dealt with by a court, and not by the town council. Eda Oweland opposes, not wanting any more Crown officials in Saltmarsh than necessary, and the motion is defeated.
4. Makaster House. Yakeerk is called to give evidence on behalf of Amici Noctia. Eliander Fireborn reads from the official report taken by the Town Council. Evidence points to a ship returning to pick up the smugglers and Yakeerk is asked if Amici Noctia are willing to continue serving the Town Council in this matter. Yakeerk advises that they are. Eliander Fireborn is appointed as the liaison between the Town Council and Amici Noctia.
In a heated discussion the fate of the smugglers is decided. As they are members of, or at least affiliated with, The Sea Princes, they will all be executed by public hanging tomorrow. Eda Oweland, Eliander Fireborn, Anders Solmer vote to put the smugglers to death, and Chandler Aerakin, Gellan Primewater, and Manistrad Copperlocks vote against. Eda's extra vote for her office of Mayor swings the vote her way.
This concludes the Town Council meeting, and Eliander Fireborn advises he will meet with Amici Noctia tomorrow mid morning at Hoolwatch Tower where Eliander spends most of his time during working hours.
Yakeerk first went to report to his commander, Trellish Royal Marine Captain Tom Oweland, son of the Mayor, Eda Oweland. Tom nodded and agreed that Yakeerk could stay on secondment to the Town Council, working as part of Amici Noctia.
Then Yakeerk went to the Snapping Line inn and looked for members of Amici Noctia, where he told them about the Town Council meeting.
"We're meeting Eliander Fireborn at Hoolwatch Tower tomorrow mid morning. I don't know if you want to go watch the smugglers execution tomorrow. I know I have no stomach for it."
In the evening at the Snapping Line, Hanna Rist served up dinner for Amici Noctia. There seems to be a bit of a buzz in the air, and people are coming in from outside, talking animatedly.
On enquiry about what's going on, Hanna tells you that it seems that a comet has appeared in the heavens. Faint, with a long tail, and only seen at night. But it's creating a lot of conjecture about what it might mean.
Irob listens to talk about the comet, and notices two young men daring each other to take a shot of Claw Wine, the house specialty spirit made from lobster meat and potatoes. They down their Claw Wine and one young man spits it straight back up again, but the other manages to keep his down. Money is exchanged, as the winner grins. But his face looks like his stomach is fighting the invasion of the spirit that can only be described as "an acquired taste".
During the dinner Rask shares the information she heard that day. Similarly to Yakeerk, she declines to attend the execution. "The town's justice will be meted out in their way. That's all I need to know".
When Hannah approaches the table again Rask asks her what some of the townfolk are saying a out the comet and it's meaning.
Dredge Luckton comes over to your table and sits with you. He holds a drink, but a small one. Normally at this time of night he's hammered, but he seems not so bad right now.
"The comet," he says, his eyes darting around to see if anyone is watching, "will be seen as significant. I told my friend Bucket Head there," he indicates Irob, "that there will be a sign in the heavens when the time to summon Dagon approaches. The lore talks about a two-tailed comet, but they might think this will do. If so, they will start upping their stakes, trying urgently to find information about where Dagon's Pillar is. Apparently that's where to summon him when the time is right."
During the dinner Rask shares the information she heard that day. Similarly to Yakeerk, she declines to attend the execution. "The town's justice will be meted out in their way. That's all I need to know".
When Hannah approaches the table again Rask asks her what some of the townfolk are saying a out the comet and it's meaning.
Hanna smiles as she delivers your food and hears Rask's question.
"Mostly people are saying it's an omen but are divided as to whether it is a good omen or a bad omen. Some of the really old folk say that when anything appears in the sky, everyone starts making guesses, prophecies, assumptions. But they also say a comet usually heralds a bad year. A comet appeared the same year the 100 Year War started, apparently. So, no one knows. Or if people do know, it's getting drowned out by those who are speculating."
Hanna nods at Dredge and smiles to see he's making friends.
"Thanks for taking the old fella under your wing," she whispers to Zaerra. "Maybe he's on the mend."
Amici Noctia go out into the street with Dredge and look at the night sky. It takes them a while, but they finally see the comet, not much more than a dot with a long, bright tail.
"Doesn't have two tails, that's good," says Dredge.
After a while you all go back inside and wind down for the night before going to bed.
5th Day of Deepspring (3rd month of Spring), Freeday.
Weather: warm and sunny, calm winds, a few clouds.
At dawn, Yakeerk was summoned by a messenger to report for duty, and he left the Snapping Line inn immediately. "I'll let you know what it's all about when I return," he tells Irob, who he shares a room with.
The owlin ranger is gone three hours and meets the rest of Amici Noctia in the common room. He eats his breakfast of smoked fish on toast while he talks to his comrades.
"Sanbalet went missing from his cell last night. Just him, the other two smugglers were still in their cells. The soldier who was on duty last night is also missing. We are assuming that due to his body not being found that he was the one who allowed Sanbalet to escape, I suppose for some reward. An investigation is underway. They asked me to fly around Saltmarsh and scout to see if I could see any ships or carts leaving Saltmarsh that could possibly be hiding him. Of course there are dozens of fishing boats, any one of them could be smuggling the smuggler. Only a few carts heading north though, and ravens have been sent to Burle to inspect all wagons arriving from Saltmarsh today and for the next few days."
Yga slaps her fist into the palm of her hand - "I bet that cult had something to do with it! Shady characters protecting dodgy characters - next time we should mete out justice....off the record of course."
"So, what are we to do? Does the council need us to track down Sanbalet, or something else?"
Finishing up her breakfast, Zaerra gets up from the table,"I'll meet you all back here in about 45mins just before we have to head to our meetup. I've an appointment with the temple historian and artifactor to see if there is any historical mention of the comet or any foreboded predictions. I'll let you know if I find anything out."
She smiles at the group and heads out the door with purpose!
Zaerra heads to the Temple of the Wanderer and consults firstly with the High Priest, Gerald Isslor.
"You're not the only one seeing what info we have on comets at our library," Gerald says. "Come and meet Quin, son of Town Councillor Chandler Aerakin and an archaeologist trained at the Londar University."
The library at the Temple of the Wanderer is on the top floor. Here a young man sits at a table trying to read three open books at once. Quin's brown hair is short on the back and sides but longer and messy on top. He is thin, of average height, and has a piercing gaze. He puts that gaze on Zaerra now."
Gerald Isslor makes the introductions.
"Quin Aerakin, meet Zaerra, an astral elf and wanderer among the cosmos and a follower of Fharlanghn the Wanderer. Also a member of Amici Noctia, an adventuring group starting to make a name for themselves."
"A pleasure to meet you," Quin says, holding out his hand. He speaks with the accent of educated nobility.
Zaerra shakes hands with Quin, trying to get his measure. She could see he was a young noble, and apparently educated at the best educational facility in the kingdom.
She decides to get straight to the point. "We both have an interest in comets, it seems."
"Yes, everyone is talking about it. According to the books, comets have always been assumed to coincide with huge events that change history. Most of the time that's just superstition. There's numerous examples here," he gestures to the books, "of comets appearing and nothing unusual happening, other than what was expected. But the appearance of a two-tailed comet is different. There's vague references to references in these historical texts about the two-tailed comet and some disaster or other, but the one they agree on is a millenia ago, a two-tailed comet appeared around the same time that the Ancient Empire was destroyed."
Quin keeps talking, getting excited about his favourite subject matter.
"The Ancient Empire had its own name, of course, but we just refer to it as that. And it was actually an empire and a few independent states that somehow resisted being conquered. We don't think the dominant race was human, but lizard folk or snake folk. How far the Ancient Empire stretched across the world is a point of conjecture, but we believe it was the continent we stand on and at least some of the islands to the south. It was destroyed overnight - in historical terms - in some terrible disaster. There are remnants of the Ancient Empire all along the south coast of Trelland. You may have seen or know about the structure locals call Brinestone Keep. That strange building was built by people of the Ancient Empire, although it's purpose is baffling."
"I've always wanted to go exploring the islands to the south to look at the ruins, but the predatory Sea Princes have always made it too dangerous in the past. Now these pirates are in a decline, squabbling amongst themselves now that the 100 Year War is over, it might be less perilous, so I have some hope that I can fund an expedition to go and study the ruins and make notes."
Zaerra smiles as the young noble hits his stride whilst talking all things comets and Ancient Empires.
"You are as much of a history buff as you are an astrologist. My friends and I observed the comet the other night and didn't notice anything particular about it, certainly not two tails. From your reading and interpretation I take it you can not see any correlation to the comets appearance and any sudden disaster to befall or region. I know most of the town are supposing and predicting based on the comets appearance. If we could, with certainty aligh their fears that might be helpful."
"I am interested in your thoughts about the ancient ruins and would be keen to look them over myself. Perhaps when you have your funding sorted and if my friends are as interested as I we might be able to come to a suitable arrangement in relation to this. :
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"your story is safe amongst me and my companions" Irob says nodding to any party members that may be in the room. "Although unless necessary they won't know the intricacies. Should you need aid you need only ask," Irob pauses for a brief moment before adding "friend"
Dredge looks up into Irob's ocular sensors. Then he smiles, showing some missing teeth, although those that remain seem good.
"Well, no one's called me that in a long time. If you are friends with me then you are against the cult. It may put your lives at risk. Friend."
Irob will continue to make smalltalk, keep Dredge company for as long as he wishes and prepare for the day until the party arrives
Meanwhile Yakeerk heads to the Town Council. Kate Lapsia greeted him and let him into the gallery where interested citizens could sit and watch proceedings. The session was just about to start. Town Council members present included:
Eda Oweland - the Mayor and mother of Tom Oweland. Her votes count as two votes. One for herself as a Councillor and one for the office of Mayor. She is a Traditionalist.
Anders Solmer - the youngest ever Saltmarsh Councillor. He is a swing voter, sometimes voting with Traditionalists and sometimes with the Loyalists. He tries to work out what is going to be best for the fishing industry, which is his main business.
Gellan Primewater - the party have met Gellan, an older man always immaculately dressed and today is no exception. Gellan almost always votes with Eda and his interests are aligned with the Traditionalist faction.
Manistrad Copperlocks - A female noble-looking dwarf with copper coloured hair and resting *****-face. She is in charge of the dwarven miners, and has been given a seat on the Town Council on orders of the Crown. She is aligned with the Loyalists.
Eliander Fireborn - The Crown’s representative on the Town Council, Eliander is overall Commander of Saltmarsh's defences, including the Town Guard, the Trellish Royal Marines, and the Saltmarsh Militia. The party met his daughter, Carmilla Fireborn, at the dinner at Primewater Mansion. Eliander is a staunch Loyalist.
Chandler Aerakin - A human male in his sixties, with male pattern baldness which only adds to his stern expression. Chandler does not tie himself to any faction, voting only to further Saltmarsh's interests, which are tied up with his own.
The Town Council meeting started with dealing with some items on the agenda. The Makaster House event is the last item to be dealt with.
1. First item is the skyrocketing prices of some fish on the market. With less fishers willing to put out to sea at night, the amount of Black Grouper and Arrow Squid on the market is far less and the prices have increased accordingly. Squid in particular is a popular export fish. Anders Solmor asks for naval ships to be sent out at night to investigate the fishers' stories of strange events and creatures. The motion is carried to petition the crown for aid.
2. Three disputes between fishers are dealt with, and one between merchants. Witnesses, complainants, and defenders are called to give evidence. Rulings are made. This takes the Town Council meeting to lunchtime and beyond and is very boring (to anyone except the complainants and the defenders).
3. Eliander Fireborn raises the issue of Saltmarsh needing a magistrate so that disputes can be dealt with by a court, and not by the town council. Eda Oweland opposes, not wanting any more Crown officials in Saltmarsh than necessary, and the motion is defeated.
4. Makaster House. Yakeerk is called to give evidence on behalf of Amici Noctia. Eliander Fireborn reads from the official report taken by the Town Council. Evidence points to a ship returning to pick up the smugglers and Yakeerk is asked if Amici Noctia are willing to continue serving the Town Council in this matter. Yakeerk advises that they are. Eliander Fireborn is appointed as the liaison between the Town Council and Amici Noctia.
In a heated discussion the fate of the smugglers is decided. As they are members of, or at least affiliated with, The Sea Princes, they will all be executed by public hanging tomorrow. Eda Oweland, Eliander Fireborn, Anders Solmer vote to put the smugglers to death, and Chandler Aerakin, Gellan Primewater, and Manistrad Copperlocks vote against. Eda's extra vote for her office of Mayor swings the vote her way.
This concludes the Town Council meeting, and Eliander Fireborn advises he will meet with Amici Noctia tomorrow mid morning at Hoolwatch Tower where Eliander spends most of his time during working hours.
Yakeerk first went to report to his commander, Trellish Royal Marine Captain Tom Oweland, son of the Mayor, Eda Oweland. Tom nodded and agreed that Yakeerk could stay on secondment to the Town Council, working as part of Amici Noctia.
Then Yakeerk went to the Snapping Line inn and looked for members of Amici Noctia, where he told them about the Town Council meeting.
"We're meeting Eliander Fireborn at Hoolwatch Tower tomorrow mid morning. I don't know if you want to go watch the smugglers execution tomorrow. I know I have no stomach for it."
In the evening at the Snapping Line, Hanna Rist served up dinner for Amici Noctia. There seems to be a bit of a buzz in the air, and people are coming in from outside, talking animatedly.
On enquiry about what's going on, Hanna tells you that it seems that a comet has appeared in the heavens. Faint, with a long tail, and only seen at night. But it's creating a lot of conjecture about what it might mean.
Irob listens to talk about the comet, and notices two young men daring each other to take a shot of Claw Wine, the house specialty spirit made from lobster meat and potatoes. They down their Claw Wine and one young man spits it straight back up again, but the other manages to keep his down. Money is exchanged, as the winner grins. But his face looks like his stomach is fighting the invasion of the spirit that can only be described as "an acquired taste".
During the dinner Rask shares the information she heard that day. Similarly to Yakeerk, she declines to attend the execution. "The town's justice will be meted out in their way. That's all I need to know".
When Hannah approaches the table again Rask asks her what some of the townfolk are saying a out the comet and it's meaning.
Dredge Luckton comes over to your table and sits with you. He holds a drink, but a small one. Normally at this time of night he's hammered, but he seems not so bad right now.
"The comet," he says, his eyes darting around to see if anyone is watching, "will be seen as significant. I told my friend Bucket Head there," he indicates Irob, "that there will be a sign in the heavens when the time to summon Dagon approaches. The lore talks about a two-tailed comet, but they might think this will do. If so, they will start upping their stakes, trying urgently to find information about where Dagon's Pillar is. Apparently that's where to summon him when the time is right."
Hanna smiles as she delivers your food and hears Rask's question.
"Mostly people are saying it's an omen but are divided as to whether it is a good omen or a bad omen. Some of the really old folk say that when anything appears in the sky, everyone starts making guesses, prophecies, assumptions. But they also say a comet usually heralds a bad year. A comet appeared the same year the 100 Year War started, apparently. So, no one knows. Or if people do know, it's getting drowned out by those who are speculating."
Hanna nods at Dredge and smiles to see he's making friends.
"Thanks for taking the old fella under your wing," she whispers to Zaerra. "Maybe he's on the mend."
Amici Noctia go out into the street with Dredge and look at the night sky. It takes them a while, but they finally see the comet, not much more than a dot with a long, bright tail.
"Doesn't have two tails, that's good," says Dredge.
After a while you all go back inside and wind down for the night before going to bed.
5th Day of Deepspring (3rd month of Spring), Freeday.
Weather: warm and sunny, calm winds, a few clouds.
At dawn, Yakeerk was summoned by a messenger to report for duty, and he left the Snapping Line inn immediately.
"I'll let you know what it's all about when I return," he tells Irob, who he shares a room with.
The owlin ranger is gone three hours and meets the rest of Amici Noctia in the common room. He eats his breakfast of smoked fish on toast while he talks to his comrades.
"Sanbalet went missing from his cell last night. Just him, the other two smugglers were still in their cells. The soldier who was on duty last night is also missing. We are assuming that due to his body not being found that he was the one who allowed Sanbalet to escape, I suppose for some reward. An investigation is underway. They asked me to fly around Saltmarsh and scout to see if I could see any ships or carts leaving Saltmarsh that could possibly be hiding him. Of course there are dozens of fishing boats, any one of them could be smuggling the smuggler. Only a few carts heading north though, and ravens have been sent to Burle to inspect all wagons arriving from Saltmarsh today and for the next few days."
Yga slaps her fist into the palm of her hand - "I bet that cult had something to do with it! Shady characters protecting dodgy characters - next time we should mete out justice....off the record of course."
"So, what are we to do? Does the council need us to track down Sanbalet, or something else?"
"We'll know more when we meet Eliander Fireborn at Hoolwatch Tower in about an hour," Yakeerk says.
Finishing up her breakfast, Zaerra gets up from the table,"I'll meet you all back here in about 45mins just before we have to head to our meetup. I've an appointment with the temple historian and artifactor to see if there is any historical mention of the comet or any foreboded predictions. I'll let you know if I find anything out."
She smiles at the group and heads out the door with purpose!
Zaerra heads to the Temple of the Wanderer and consults firstly with the High Priest, Gerald Isslor.
"You're not the only one seeing what info we have on comets at our library," Gerald says. "Come and meet Quin, son of Town Councillor Chandler Aerakin and an archaeologist trained at the Londar University."
The library at the Temple of the Wanderer is on the top floor. Here a young man sits at a table trying to read three open books at once. Quin's brown hair is short on the back and sides but longer and messy on top. He is thin, of average height, and has a piercing gaze. He puts that gaze on Zaerra now."
Gerald Isslor makes the introductions.
"Quin Aerakin, meet Zaerra, an astral elf and wanderer among the cosmos and a follower of Fharlanghn the Wanderer. Also a member of Amici Noctia, an adventuring group starting to make a name for themselves."
"A pleasure to meet you," Quin says, holding out his hand. He speaks with the accent of educated nobility.
Zaerra shakes hands with Quin, trying to get his measure. She could see he was a young noble, and apparently educated at the best educational facility in the kingdom.
She decides to get straight to the point.
"We both have an interest in comets, it seems."
"Yes, everyone is talking about it. According to the books, comets have always been assumed to coincide with huge events that change history. Most of the time that's just superstition. There's numerous examples here," he gestures to the books, "of comets appearing and nothing unusual happening, other than what was expected. But the appearance of a two-tailed comet is different. There's vague references to references in these historical texts about the two-tailed comet and some disaster or other, but the one they agree on is a millenia ago, a two-tailed comet appeared around the same time that the Ancient Empire was destroyed."
Quin keeps talking, getting excited about his favourite subject matter.
"The Ancient Empire had its own name, of course, but we just refer to it as that. And it was actually an empire and a few independent states that somehow resisted being conquered. We don't think the dominant race was human, but lizard folk or snake folk. How far the Ancient Empire stretched across the world is a point of conjecture, but we believe it was the continent we stand on and at least some of the islands to the south. It was destroyed overnight - in historical terms - in some terrible disaster. There are remnants of the Ancient Empire all along the south coast of Trelland. You may have seen or know about the structure locals call Brinestone Keep. That strange building was built by people of the Ancient Empire, although it's purpose is baffling."
"I've always wanted to go exploring the islands to the south to look at the ruins, but the predatory Sea Princes have always made it too dangerous in the past. Now these pirates are in a decline, squabbling amongst themselves now that the 100 Year War is over, it might be less perilous, so I have some hope that I can fund an expedition to go and study the ruins and make notes."
Zaerra smiles as the young noble hits his stride whilst talking all things comets and Ancient Empires.
"You are as much of a history buff as you are an astrologist. My friends and I observed the comet the other night and didn't notice anything particular about it, certainly not two tails. From your reading and interpretation I take it you can not see any correlation to the comets appearance and any sudden disaster to befall or region. I know most of the town are supposing and predicting based on the comets appearance. If we could, with certainty aligh their fears that might be helpful."
"I am interested in your thoughts about the ancient ruins and would be keen to look them over myself. Perhaps when you have your funding sorted and if my friends are as interested as I we might be able to come to a suitable arrangement in relation to this. :