Yga admits she is geographically embarassed and can't tell if east is good or bad. Yga judges if it is a familiar, amici noctia voice. If not she will alert her party members of the incoming hostile.
It's not a voice Yga recognises, so she yells out a warning to the rest of the team.
Yakeerk picks up his bow and hurries off to Yga's position.
Yga admits she is geographically embarassed and can't tell if east is good or bad. Yga judges if it is a familiar, amici noctia voice. If not she will alert her party members of the incoming hostile.
Should have been west. I'm the one geographically embarrassed.
The party see a figure coming down the lit passage towards them. He holds his hands up in front of him. He appears to be a tall human male of about 30 years, a rakish haircut in the latest style from the capital, and a beard shaved into stripes. Large iron earrings adorn both ears. His expression is one of friendliness but also wariness. He carries a rapier by his side and a hand crossbow at his waist with a small case of bolts.
The figure comes to a stop, and introduces himself in that voice that surely belongs to a bard or storyteller.
"Ned Shakeshaft, at your service. I am in the employ of Councilor Gellan Primewater, who recently had some items stolen by thieves. I am led to believe these items - bolts of silk and casks of brandy - are being stored by thieves somewhere close before being offloaded to a ship. I came here hoping this was the place, and was going to scope it out, knowing that adventurers had come before me. I came across dead bodies upstairs and then heard the sounds of combat down here. Despite my appearance," he indicates his weapons, "I am not a particularly good practitioner of the blade. So I waited until the sound of combat was over. There is a reward for the stolen goods, which I am happy to see is paid to you in exchange for allowing me to recover Councilor Primewater's merchandise."
Yga looks on inscrutably at the new arrival while ensuring he can't hear a whisper to her colleagues, "....I don't like the looks of this guy....he may not be who he says he is or acting on behalf of who he says he is.....I think we should hold a position on the merchandise and personally deliver it to whoever he believes owns it."
"I agree", replies Rask in an undertone. "If he's so keen for it to be returned he can accompany us."
She nods, having said her piece, but the group can still hear her mumbling to herself "unskilled with a blade... don't carry it then... waiting like a coward... good way to get stabbed...". Rask appears to have taken the gentleman's lack of weaponry prowess as a personal affront.
Ned listens to your concerns about not knowing him and nods.
"Good, seems you care for more than just money. My employer Gellan Primewater might have some tasks for you, if you are interested. But for now can we take one cask to show him. I will take you to meet Gellan Primewater himself, he should be back from the Town Hall by now. He will authorise the reward himself and he will vouch for me. Our famous winged marine there," he nods to Yakeerk, "will verify that I am taking you to the real Gellan Primewater as perhaps most of you may not be familiar with him, being newcomers to Saltmarsh."
Susk does know who Gellan Primewater is, he knows he is a member of the town council and rich merchant in Saltmarsh. Gellan Primewater sponsors festivals and other public events in Saltmarsh, and so is popular with the townsfolk.
Yga starts processing the possible permutations of Ned Shakeshaft's name and holds back vocalizing what comes to mind lest she burn a bridge before it is built.
She settles on vocalizing something more SFW. "Ok tiger chops, lead the way".
Ned raises an eyebrow at "tiger chops" but doesn't say anything. He nods and asks that you bring one of the smaller casks of brandy to show his employer.
Yakeerk goes into the cave with the prisoners, including the still unconscious Sanbalet and puts one under his arm. He checks their bonds and finds them secure. He thinks he will inform the Town Guard at the gate about the smugglers so they can be taken into custody as soon as possible. There are a lot of unexplored areas in this mansion which the party might have to look at, to make this area safe. Not least that door with the smugglers' "danger" marking.
Susk will assist Yakeerk to herd the smugglers back to town."While I agree that we should turn them over to the town guard, Primewater may be interested in talking to the leader about how he got hold of his goods, before he goes to the guards"
He glances around the caverns, "Lets see what happends after we had this lot over and have advised the Town Council clerk what we have found here. I agree that I would be curious to coe back and explore further"
With that he will go about checking the fallen for interesting items to take back with them, or anything that may be worth a few coins.
After Susk returns the two prisoners who can walk are freed and given the task of carrying their leader, Sanbalet. Yakeerk ropes them together also, so the two mobile ones can't make a break for it in different directions. If they do try and run it will be together with Sanbalet as a dead weight.
"Maybe we should bring them with us but bag their heads so they aren't recognisable.....so that potential allies spot them and try to rescue them or seek vengeance against us?" suggests Yga. This advice is followed, and bags are found to put over their heads, which also further limits their escape chances.
Everyone heads back up the stairs and outside. The sun is low, indicating late afternoon.
At the eastern gate, the guards ask about the interesting group. Yakeerk explains everything, he is known to the guards, being part of the Royal Marines, but this does not mean he has much influence with the Town Guard. There is some negotiation, and the Sergeant is summoned. He decides he will accompany you to see Gellan Primewater also, so that his report is based on his own observations.
Gellan Primewater maintains a large mansion right on the docks, allowing him to oversee his ships from his upstairs window. As the party arrives he is leaning out to shout orders and answer questions for his captains and crews, his booming voice echoing over the docks.
Ned and Gellan obviously know each other. Ned looks up to Gellan in the upstairs window and explains that his investigations led to Makaster House - although the party think that really it was just a hope rather than much detective work.
"I think the interview should be done by the book," Gellan says, looking around and seeing a crowd starting to gather on the docks to observe, including a patrol of the Town Guard. "Sergeant! Please escort the prisoners to the jail where they will be interviewed."
The sergeant orders the patrol to assist him, and they march the prisoners away.
"Now, would you like to come inside so I can hear the details," Gellan asked politely, although it was obviously not a request. He disappeared from the upstairs window and he was heard bellowing to staff.
The detailed wooden doors opened, and a well dressed but stern looking Islander woman beckoned them inside. She introduced herself as Manaya. As the party trooped in she looked in wonder at Irob and Rask in particular, but also at the others. Yga, Susk, and Zaerra also notice Manaya's brow furrow as Ned smirks at her as he passes.
Manaya leads everyone into a side room, opulently furnished. Other staff bring wine and cut up fruit, and seem anxious, unsure as to what the strange group might find palatable.
"If you need or want anything in particular to eat," says Manaya, looking at Irob, Yakeerk, and Rask, "please ask. We are not used to serving such distinguished guests." That was, of course, a polite way of saying "unusual guests". Yakeerk briefly wondered how they would react if Rask was to ask for a live chicken or something as a snack. He fluffed himself in amusement.
Before long Gellan Primewater entered the room. Gellan is a well-spoken, dapper older gentleman with a neatly trimmed beard and a fancy wardrobe. He smiles freely and often.
"So I have heard from Ned, my employee here. And I guess you have taken the job from the job board of investigating Makaster House. Could you please tell me what you encountered there and what your thoughts are? Was this a temporary stop for them, do you think? Or were they setting up a base?"
Then he seems to notice the large bits of crab the party have tied to their packs.
"By the Gods, is that crab? Would you like us to cook it for you? I have a very good cook, she would love to make something from those large bits of crab! You could stay for dinner, I would be delighted if you would say yes."
"I think that dinner would be a wonderful idea." Susk say before the silence gets awkward. "Hopefully the crab is still ok, but if your cook can use it, then why let it go to waste" he continue looking to his companiosn to hopefully take up the conversation.
"Yes, thank you, your offer is very generous," adds Rask. As the staff take the crabs and their leave of the party Rask helps herself to some fruit. Keen to learn more about Gellan Primewater she continues "I imagine this isnt the first issue with smugglers in the area- still, it was a brazen move, stealing your goods Mr Primewater."
"I've heard that smoking food is an excellent method to cook, flavour and preserve it. Perhaps the crab should be smoked? Regardless I would be fascinated to learn how you cook it if you will allow me."
Irob stands, comfortable that his friends are capable of handling the situation with Gellan, and aims to follow the crab pieces into the kitchen.
"I will be back within a short timeframe I am sure"
The chef, a female gnome, who comes to take the crab looks a bit put out, as if her scheduled menu has been upended by Gellan's sudden desire for something else for dinner. That is until she sees Yga. Their eyes go wide at the same time.
"Yga!" the female gnome chef exclaims.
"Feliza", Yga returns, more calmly. This is Feliza Tipplepopple, a gnome from Yga's village. They had been friends before Feliza left "to see the world" two years ago. Looks like she had gone no further than Saltmarsh. Feliza was always one with quick emotions - quick to anger, quick to forgive also. And was a very good chef. The village was worse off, culinary-wise, for her departure.
"Well, isn't this lovely," beams Gellan. "Feliza is part of the Primewater family, so now I am even more happy that you are staying for dinner."
"We'll catch up later," Feliza smiles. "I have crab to cook. She gestures to a few junior cooks to take the crab meat. She blinks in surprise as Irob approaches and makes his intentions known. She looks at Yga, who gives her the gnomish version of the thumbs up, which is a lot more subtle than how humans would do it. Then Feliza turns back to Irob and grins broadly. "Of course, come this way!"
As they leave the party hear Feliza talking to Irob: "Boiling crab meat is the most common method of cooking it, but crab meat is delicate, unlike say, steak, so smoking crab meat over indirect heat will result in a tender dish with a unique, smokey flavour. The type of fuel used for the smoke is important too, and..."
The door closes behind them and the rest of the party hear no more about smoking crab meat.
"Yes, thank you, your offer is very generous," adds Rask. As the staff take the crabs and their leave of the party Rask helps herself to some fruit. Keen to learn more about Gellan Primewater she continues "I imagine this isnt the first issue with smugglers in the area- still, it was a brazen move, stealing your goods Mr Primewater."
"Indeed!" agrees Gellan Primewater. "I have yet to hear how it happened, I'm sure Ned will brief me at some time. Where did he go?" He looks around but Ned has gone.
"He left to make his report to the Town Guard sergeant," advises Manaya. "With your permission, sir, I will also take my leave to see to dinner arrangements, all those unrelated to cooking, obviously."
"Of course, of course," agreed Gellan Primewater. Manaya left the room, closing the door after her. "Very efficient woman," said Gellan. Within a few seconds a blank faced man opened the door and entered. He stood by the door he came in, looking completely at ease. Susk and Rask could see he watched proceedings subtly. It seems Manaya was indeed efficient, realising that Gellan was alone with dangerous looking strangers and sent in.... a guard?.. to help keep an eye on things.
"It's not the first time my goods have gone missing," said Gellan, pouring himself an alcoholic drink from a crystal bottle, it looked like a spirit of some kind. "When you're as well known as I am all sorts of scallywags think they can take a slice of my profit."
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It's not a voice Yga recognises, so she yells out a warning to the rest of the team.
Yakeerk picks up his bow and hurries off to Yga's position.
Rask follows closely behind Yakeerk, readying herself for a fight but hoping it doesn't come to that, given her weakened state.
Should have been west. I'm the one geographically embarrassed.
The party see a figure coming down the lit passage towards them. He holds his hands up in front of him. He appears to be a tall human male of about 30 years, a rakish haircut in the latest style from the capital, and a beard shaved into stripes. Large iron earrings adorn both ears. His expression is one of friendliness but also wariness. He carries a rapier by his side and a hand crossbow at his waist with a small case of bolts.
The figure comes to a stop, and introduces himself in that voice that surely belongs to a bard or storyteller.
"Ned Shakeshaft, at your service. I am in the employ of Councilor Gellan Primewater, who recently had some items stolen by thieves. I am led to believe these items - bolts of silk and casks of brandy - are being stored by thieves somewhere close before being offloaded to a ship. I came here hoping this was the place, and was going to scope it out, knowing that adventurers had come before me. I came across dead bodies upstairs and then heard the sounds of combat down here. Despite my appearance," he indicates his weapons, "I am not a particularly good practitioner of the blade. So I waited until the sound of combat was over. There is a reward for the stolen goods, which I am happy to see is paid to you in exchange for allowing me to recover Councilor Primewater's merchandise."
Yga looks on inscrutably at the new arrival while ensuring he can't hear a whisper to her colleagues, "....I don't like the looks of this guy....he may not be who he says he is or acting on behalf of who he says he is.....I think we should hold a position on the merchandise and personally deliver it to whoever he believes owns it."
"I agree", replies Rask in an undertone. "If he's so keen for it to be returned he can accompany us."
She nods, having said her piece, but the group can still hear her mumbling to herself "unskilled with a blade... don't carry it then... waiting like a coward... good way to get stabbed...". Rask appears to have taken the gentleman's lack of weaponry prowess as a personal affront.
60xp each for the last battle
Ned listens to your concerns about not knowing him and nods.
"Good, seems you care for more than just money. My employer Gellan Primewater might have some tasks for you, if you are interested. But for now can we take one cask to show him. I will take you to meet Gellan Primewater himself, he should be back from the Town Hall by now. He will authorise the reward himself and he will vouch for me. Our famous winged marine there," he nods to Yakeerk, "will verify that I am taking you to the real Gellan Primewater as perhaps most of you may not be familiar with him, being newcomers to Saltmarsh."
Susk does know who Gellan Primewater is, he knows he is a member of the town council and rich merchant in Saltmarsh. Gellan Primewater sponsors festivals and other public events in Saltmarsh, and so is popular with the townsfolk.
Yga starts processing the possible permutations of Ned Shakeshaft's name and holds back vocalizing what comes to mind lest she burn a bridge before it is built.
She settles on vocalizing something more SFW. "Ok tiger chops, lead the way".
Ned raises an eyebrow at "tiger chops" but doesn't say anything. He nods and asks that you bring one of the smaller casks of brandy to show his employer.
Yakeerk goes into the cave with the prisoners, including the still unconscious Sanbalet and puts one under his arm. He checks their bonds and finds them secure. He thinks he will inform the Town Guard at the gate about the smugglers so they can be taken into custody as soon as possible. There are a lot of unexplored areas in this mansion which the party might have to look at, to make this area safe. Not least that door with the smugglers' "danger" marking.
Susk will assist Yakeerk to herd the smugglers back to town."While I agree that we should turn them over to the town guard, Primewater may be interested in talking to the leader about how he got hold of his goods, before he goes to the guards"
He glances around the caverns, "Lets see what happends after we had this lot over and have advised the Town Council clerk what we have found here. I agree that I would be curious to coe back and explore further"
With that he will go about checking the fallen for interesting items to take back with them, or anything that may be worth a few coins.
Susk gathers a total of 70gp, 150sp in coins of various mintage.
He notices one of the dead hobgoblins has armour that might be magical.
There is also the likely magical pipe taken from Sanbalet.
After Susk returns the two prisoners who can walk are freed and given the task of carrying their leader, Sanbalet. Yakeerk ropes them together also, so the two mobile ones can't make a break for it in different directions. If they do try and run it will be together with Sanbalet as a dead weight.
"Maybe we should bring them with us but bag their heads so they aren't recognisable.....so that potential allies spot them and try to rescue them or seek vengeance against us?" suggests Yga. This advice is followed, and bags are found to put over their heads, which also further limits their escape chances.
Everyone heads back up the stairs and outside. The sun is low, indicating late afternoon.
At the eastern gate, the guards ask about the interesting group. Yakeerk explains everything, he is known to the guards, being part of the Royal Marines, but this does not mean he has much influence with the Town Guard. There is some negotiation, and the Sergeant is summoned. He decides he will accompany you to see Gellan Primewater also, so that his report is based on his own observations.
Gellan Primewater maintains a large mansion right on the docks, allowing him to oversee his ships from his upstairs window. As the party arrives he is leaning out to shout orders and answer questions for his captains and crews, his booming voice echoing over the docks.
Ned and Gellan obviously know each other. Ned looks up to Gellan in the upstairs window and explains that his investigations led to Makaster House - although the party think that really it was just a hope rather than much detective work.
"I think the interview should be done by the book," Gellan says, looking around and seeing a crowd starting to gather on the docks to observe, including a patrol of the Town Guard. "Sergeant! Please escort the prisoners to the jail where they will be interviewed."
The sergeant orders the patrol to assist him, and they march the prisoners away.
"Now, would you like to come inside so I can hear the details," Gellan asked politely, although it was obviously not a request. He disappeared from the upstairs window and he was heard bellowing to staff.
The detailed wooden doors opened, and a well dressed but stern looking Islander woman beckoned them inside. She introduced herself as Manaya. As the party trooped in she looked in wonder at Irob and Rask in particular, but also at the others. Yga, Susk, and Zaerra also notice Manaya's brow furrow as Ned smirks at her as he passes.
Manaya leads everyone into a side room, opulently furnished. Other staff bring wine and cut up fruit, and seem anxious, unsure as to what the strange group might find palatable.
"If you need or want anything in particular to eat," says Manaya, looking at Irob, Yakeerk, and Rask, "please ask. We are not used to serving such distinguished guests." That was, of course, a polite way of saying "unusual guests". Yakeerk briefly wondered how they would react if Rask was to ask for a live chicken or something as a snack. He fluffed himself in amusement.
Before long Gellan Primewater entered the room. Gellan is a well-spoken, dapper older gentleman with a neatly trimmed beard and a fancy wardrobe. He smiles freely and often.
"So I have heard from Ned, my employee here. And I guess you have taken the job from the job board of investigating Makaster House. Could you please tell me what you encountered there and what your thoughts are? Was this a temporary stop for them, do you think? Or were they setting up a base?"
Then he seems to notice the large bits of crab the party have tied to their packs.
"By the Gods, is that crab? Would you like us to cook it for you? I have a very good cook, she would love to make something from those large bits of crab! You could stay for dinner, I would be delighted if you would say yes."
"I think that dinner would be a wonderful idea." Susk say before the silence gets awkward. "Hopefully the crab is still ok, but if your cook can use it, then why let it go to waste" he continue looking to his companiosn to hopefully take up the conversation.
"Then we can discuss what happened at the house"
"Yes, thank you, your offer is very generous," adds Rask. As the staff take the crabs and their leave of the party Rask helps herself to some fruit. Keen to learn more about Gellan Primewater she continues "I imagine this isnt the first issue with smugglers in the area- still, it was a brazen move, stealing your goods Mr Primewater."
"I've heard that smoking food is an excellent method to cook, flavour and preserve it. Perhaps the crab should be smoked? Regardless I would be fascinated to learn how you cook it if you will allow me."
Irob stands, comfortable that his friends are capable of handling the situation with Gellan, and aims to follow the crab pieces into the kitchen.
"I will be back within a short timeframe I am sure"
The chef, a female gnome, who comes to take the crab looks a bit put out, as if her scheduled menu has been upended by Gellan's sudden desire for something else for dinner. That is until she sees Yga. Their eyes go wide at the same time.
"Yga!" the female gnome chef exclaims.
"Feliza", Yga returns, more calmly. This is Feliza Tipplepopple, a gnome from Yga's village. They had been friends before Feliza left "to see the world" two years ago. Looks like she had gone no further than Saltmarsh. Feliza was always one with quick emotions - quick to anger, quick to forgive also. And was a very good chef. The village was worse off, culinary-wise, for her departure.
"Well, isn't this lovely," beams Gellan. "Feliza is part of the Primewater family, so now I am even more happy that you are staying for dinner."
"We'll catch up later," Feliza smiles. "I have crab to cook. She gestures to a few junior cooks to take the crab meat. She blinks in surprise as Irob approaches and makes his intentions known. She looks at Yga, who gives her the gnomish version of the thumbs up, which is a lot more subtle than how humans would do it. Then Feliza turns back to Irob and grins broadly. "Of course, come this way!"
As they leave the party hear Feliza talking to Irob: "Boiling crab meat is the most common method of cooking it, but crab meat is delicate, unlike say, steak, so smoking crab meat over indirect heat will result in a tender dish with a unique, smokey flavour. The type of fuel used for the smoke is important too, and..."
The door closes behind them and the rest of the party hear no more about smoking crab meat.
"Indeed!" agrees Gellan Primewater. "I have yet to hear how it happened, I'm sure Ned will brief me at some time. Where did he go?" He looks around but Ned has gone.
"He left to make his report to the Town Guard sergeant," advises Manaya. "With your permission, sir, I will also take my leave to see to dinner arrangements, all those unrelated to cooking, obviously."
"Of course, of course," agreed Gellan Primewater. Manaya left the room, closing the door after her. "Very efficient woman," said Gellan. Within a few seconds a blank faced man opened the door and entered. He stood by the door he came in, looking completely at ease. Susk and Rask could see he watched proceedings subtly. It seems Manaya was indeed efficient, realising that Gellan was alone with dangerous looking strangers and sent in.... a guard?.. to help keep an eye on things.
"It's not the first time my goods have gone missing," said Gellan, pouring himself an alcoholic drink from a crystal bottle, it looked like a spirit of some kind. "When you're as well known as I am all sorts of scallywags think they can take a slice of my profit."