You enter The Snapping Line, a popular tavern in Saltmarsh. The walls in the tavern are made of mismatched planks from decommissioned fishing ships and there is a strong scent of fish because of them. The interior is crammed with nautical decorations, a Helm on the wall, an anchor propped up against the wall, and many similar items. All of you have been called here by a letter from the town’s mayor, Eda Oweland.
The door creaks as a figure enters. Their skin is taught and sickly green, with spatterings of red freckles across their high bridged nose and prominent cheekbones. Their eyes are wide, darting about the unfamiliar environment, nose wrinkling in response to the foul sea smell, and their messy bleach white hair sticking up, but not falling over his face. He's in an unusual outfit; they're lacking armour yet are still wearing some form of tight, red leather outfit, covering his torso and legs, complete with gold fittings and a prominent ruby brooch over his chest, connected the red cloak that is draped over his shoulders. His arms are bare aside from the fabric cuffs on his wrist, studded with iron spikes. In his hand is a letter, the one sent by Eda Oweland, and he scans the room for any signs of somebody important or notable within The Snapping Line to talk to.
Across the tavern, at a table next to the far wall, there is an old woman with short grey hair and a wrinkled face glancing cautiously across the room at you. Other than that no one except the cheery tavernkeep and a group of boisterous townsfolk catch your eye.
The door swings open again, and a tall Dragonborn enters, his yellow scales shinning in the dim Light. He is wearing a Red thin Robe, with a Quarter Staff and two Daggers in his Belt barely showing under the Robe. In his hand he holds a Letter. His eyes calmly look around the room as if searching for someone, staying quiet and trying not to draw too much attention to himself.
The door swings open again, and a tall Dragonborn enters, his yellow scales shinning in the dim Light. He is wearing a Red thin Robe, with a Quarter Staff and two Daggers in his Belt barely showing under the Robe. In his hand he holds a Letter. His eyes calmly look around the room as if searching for someone, staying quiet and trying not to draw too much attention to himself.
Across the tavern, the elderly woman now waves gently at you, asking you to join her. As you see her, you bump into a Githyanki man next to you wearing a bizarre red leather outfit. He also appears to be looking for someone in the tavern.
The githyanki man apologises for bumping into the dragonborn, even though he was the one to walk into them, but then notices the letter in his hand, the same as his. He smiles and says 'Ah, looks like you've been requested here too! I'm Lith, who might you be?' Once the dragonborn has introduced themself, Lith mutters 'Seems the mayor might be over at that table, beckoning us over. Best we go take a seat.'
Chimono scrutinizes Lith. He pulls out a Chair for her, he then sits down with the Lady. `Good Day Madam Oweland, it is a pleasure to meet you. Im Chimono, the Wizard you invited. How may I help?` Says he while taking out his Notebook and Fountain Pen.
The githyanki man apologises for bumping into the dragonborn, even though he was the one to walk into them, but then notices the letter in his hand, the same as his. He smiles and says 'Ah, looks like you've been requested here too! I'm Lith, who might you be?' Once the dragonborn has introduced themself, Lith mutters 'Seems the mayor might be over at that table, beckoning us over. Best we go take a seat.'
As you approach the table, she continues to examine you both. after you greet her , she introduces herself 'Hello there good men, you recieved the letters i sent you, correct? Regardless, you're here now, so lets introduce ourselves. As you know, I am Eda Oweland, lord mayor of this lovely town,' she turns to Lith 'I believe you are mr. Ja'mas,' she then turns to Chimono ' and you're Chimono, right? We're still waiting on a couple more adventurers, so we might be here a while.' she says.
Chimono scrutinizes Lith. He pulls out a Chair for her, he then sits down with the Lady. `Good Day Madam Oweland, it is a pleasure to meet you. Im Chimono, the Wizard you invited. How may I help?` Says he while taking out his Notebook and Fountain Pen.
'I suppose its never to early to give you a brief of the mission,' she says, 'Since I was elected mayor of Saltmarsh, I have strived to help my citizens as best I can and people are scared to go south along the coast. Apparently there's this haunted house. People have called it the "sinister secret of saltmarsh" ever since a few people went missing nearby. I need you boys to go down there and clean the place out, figure out why people are scared of it and hopefully make it safe there again. Alright?'
Lith approaches the table and sits down, nodding as Eda addresses him. 'Yes, I'm Lith Ja'Mas, pleasure to meet you. Your humble town has been most welcoming so far, and very...foggy.' He then notices the two vacant chairs, commenting 'Ah, right, it does look like we're waiting on some more to arrive. No matter, I'm happy to wait, best we hold off on much more before they get here.'
Listening closely to her next words, he says 'A haunted house. Doesn't sound too bad, I can manage with a few ghosts, though they're usually hoaxes. In fact, I'm quite good at doing that myself.' He demonstrates this by channelling his psychic energy into making an invisiblemage hand behind him, going round and tapping a few patrons on the shoulder to spook them, whilst also creating several effects like doors slamming, lanterns extinguishing, and wood creaking via prestidigitation in the tavern, all together creating the impression that there's a ghost within the room. He conducts all this chaos with his eyes still firmly fixed on Eda, ceasing the spells all at once after a minute or two. He gives a wry smile and says 'I think we'll manage.'
After a few minutes of pleasant discussion , a shadow emerges shrouding the door way. While partially obscured by the blanket of fog, you can clearly make out a humanoid Brandishing an envelope; the fractured crimson seal reading EO. He makes his way toward the table, brushing past uneasy patrons and accompanied by a I relieved expression.
Lith approaches the table and sits down, nodding as Eda addresses him. 'Yes, I'm Lith Ja'Mas, pleasure to meet you. Your humble town has been most welcoming so far, and very...foggy.' He then notices the two vacant chairs, commenting 'Ah, right, it does look like we're waiting on some more to arrive. No matter, I'm happy to wait, best we hold off on much more before they get here.'
Listening closely to her next words, he says 'A haunted house. Doesn't sound too bad, I can manage with a few ghosts, though they're usually hoaxes. In fact, I'm quite good at doing that myself.' He demonstrates this by channelling his psychic energy into making an invisiblemage hand behind him, going round and tapping a few patrons on the shoulder to spook them, whilst also creating several effects like doors slamming, lanterns extinguishing, and wood creaking via prestidigitation in the tavern, all together creating the impression that there's a ghost within the room. He conducts all this chaos with his eyes still firmly fixed on Eda, ceasing the spells all at once after a minute or two. He gives a wry smile and says 'I think we'll manage.'
As you cast your spells, the patrons of the tavern are startled by the sudden noises and movements. Some leave hurriedly, trying to escape the chaos. After the effects end, you see Eda's face of shock, which then turns to a proud smile 'I knew you were the right person for this' she says, 'There's few adventurers as skilled as you in these parts. Most would rather go out looking for treasure in the azure sea, trying to gain fame as the best treasure hunters known to man. Unfortunately, they usually all die searching for it.' She then sees a humanoid figure at the entrance 'That must be another one of the adventurers i've hired. Pretty sure his name is Slatechewer.'
Lithsmiles and thanks her for her complimentary words 'It's nothing too difficult.' He tries to mask the intrigue he's feeling as she mentions treasure out on the open blue. He's certainly not a common thief anymore, but would still kill for some jewels and coin, yet now is not the time for that. Noticing the figure appear at the door, he lets the name linger and roll on his tongue 'Slate-chew-er. Folk on the Material Plane sure do have some interesting names. He seems strong, and intimidating though. He should be quite an asset.' His eyes then dart to the final seat without a person to it. Looks like the party is nearly complete, and only one unknown adventurer remains.
Suddenly a very large creature comes through the door. It is bigger than the door, but that doesn't bother it. Without further ado, he makes the entrance fit. He realizes that he is already expected, but he walks comfortably to the chair. He sits down but neither introduces himself nor says a word. The only thing he does is look attentively at his companions. The others are also quiet at first. After a brief moment, he bangs on the table and asks what he is needed for now.
Lith is surprised and speechless at the newcomers silent approach. They seem very confident, which is great, though Lithnearly jumps out of his skin when they bang the table and ask what is needed of them. He responds chirpily 'You must be the last member of our party! I'm Lith Ja'Mas, a sorcerer, pleasure to meet you, who may you be?' Whether or not he gets a reply, he tells him (and Teddic Slatechewer if he's seated or in ear shot) that Eda's requested them to go clear out a haunted house. He's still got his suspicions that it might be hoax, perpetuated by the foolish and frightened townspeople, but keeps that to himself.
Suddenly a very large creature comes through the door. It is bigger than the door, but that doesn't bother it. Without further ado, he makes the entrance fit. He realizes that he is already expected, but he walks comfortably to the chair. He sits down but neither introduces himself nor says a word. The only thing he does is look attentively at his companions. The others are also quiet at first. After a brief moment, he bangs on the table and asks what he is needed for now.
'Ah, good to see you Bresira.' says Eda 'Now I suppose i need to brief you all on the mission. There's been a supposedly haunted house just south of here for years now, the ******* idiotic Loyalists just refused to take care of it and, since im trying to improve Saltmarsh now im the mayor, I need you to go down there and clear it out. Get rid of anything supernatural you find and you can keep any valuables. I dont want saltmarsh to be associated with this house people call the 'Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh' for any longer than it has to be. Sounds good?' she looks around the table, expecting a quick answer.
We can keep everything we find? That sounds great. Shouted Bresira far too loudly. All the patrons of the tavern turned to look at them. But he simply ignored the signs from the others that he should please keep his voice down. And we just have to kill a few supposed ghosts. I haven't made money this easily in years. He laughed, still very loudly. And the others?
Lithgrins at Eda's words and is very happy to see Bresira so enthusiastic. He smiles at him and says 'Guess we'll split everything we find equally, and decide who gets whatever can't be split!' If everyone else is happy with the briefing, he gets up from his chair, thanks Eda for the mission and heads out, looking to go south from the Snapping Line and find this Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh.
We can keep everything we find? That sounds great. Shouted Bresira far too loudly. All the patrons of the tavern turned to look at them. But he simply ignored the signs from the others that he should please keep his voice down. And we just have to kill a few supposed ghosts. I haven't made money this easily in years. He laughed, still very loudly. And the others?
'However, I do have one request. If you find any information, like old documents, that i might want to know, bring it to me at the Wicker Goat. It's the only other tavern in saltmarsh,' Eda says 'You had best be quick about this. I don't want you wasting my time,'She adds sternly.
Lithgrins at Eda's words and is very happy to see Bresira so enthusiastic. He smiles at him and says 'Guess we'll split everything we find equally, and decide who gets whatever can't be split!' If everyone else is happy with the briefing, he gets up from his chair, thanks Eda for the mission and heads out, looking to go south from the Snapping Line and find this Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh.
[Is there a map of Saltmarsh we could see?]
As you get ready to leave, she quickly stops you. 'Hold on, you shouldnt leave without a map. I cant have you getting lost like the other group i sent out.' Eda pulls a messily folded map out of her pocket and opens it up. She then looks at it, puzzled 'I read the compass wrong on my map, you're actually going east to the house. South just leads to the sea.' She announces abashedly 'Good thing i had the map on me then,' she mutters to herself. She stretches her arm out and hands the map to Lith.
You enter The Snapping Line, a popular tavern in Saltmarsh. The walls in the tavern are made of mismatched planks from decommissioned fishing ships and there is a strong scent of fish because of them. The interior is crammed with nautical decorations, a Helm on the wall, an anchor propped up against the wall, and many similar items. All of you have been called here by a letter from the town’s mayor, Eda Oweland.
The door creaks as a figure enters. Their skin is taught and sickly green, with spatterings of red freckles across their high bridged nose and prominent cheekbones. Their eyes are wide, darting about the unfamiliar environment, nose wrinkling in response to the foul sea smell, and their messy bleach white hair sticking up, but not falling over his face. He's in an unusual outfit; they're lacking armour yet are still wearing some form of tight, red leather outfit, covering his torso and legs, complete with gold fittings and a prominent ruby brooch over his chest, connected the red cloak that is draped over his shoulders. His arms are bare aside from the fabric cuffs on his wrist, studded with iron spikes. In his hand is a letter, the one sent by Eda Oweland, and he scans the room for any signs of somebody important or notable within The Snapping Line to talk to.
Xaul Lackluster: Half-Orc Fathomless Warlock: Warlock Dragon Heist
Borvnir Chelvnich: Black Dragonborn Barbarian: Dragons of Stormwreck Isle
Pushover Gerilwitz: Tiefling Wizard: Acquisitions Incorporated
Callow Sunken-Eyes: Goliath Arctic Druid: We Are Modron
DMing The 100 Dungeons of the Blood Archivist , The Hunt for the Balowang and Surviving Tempest City!
Killer Queen has already extended this signature, though not by much!
Across the tavern, at a table next to the far wall, there is an old woman with short grey hair and a wrinkled face glancing cautiously across the room at you. Other than that no one except the cheery tavernkeep and a group of boisterous townsfolk catch your eye.
The door swings open again, and a tall Dragonborn enters, his yellow scales shinning in the dim Light. He is wearing a Red thin Robe, with a Quarter Staff and two Daggers in his Belt barely showing under the Robe. In his hand he holds a Letter. His eyes calmly look around the room as if searching for someone, staying quiet and trying not to draw too much attention to himself.
Across the tavern, the elderly woman now waves gently at you, asking you to join her. As you see her, you bump into a Githyanki man next to you wearing a bizarre red leather outfit. He also appears to be looking for someone in the tavern.
The githyanki man apologises for bumping into the dragonborn, even though he was the one to walk into them, but then notices the letter in his hand, the same as his. He smiles and says 'Ah, looks like you've been requested here too! I'm Lith, who might you be?' Once the dragonborn has introduced themself, Lith mutters 'Seems the mayor might be over at that table, beckoning us over. Best we go take a seat.'
Xaul Lackluster: Half-Orc Fathomless Warlock: Warlock Dragon Heist
Borvnir Chelvnich: Black Dragonborn Barbarian: Dragons of Stormwreck Isle
Pushover Gerilwitz: Tiefling Wizard: Acquisitions Incorporated
Callow Sunken-Eyes: Goliath Arctic Druid: We Are Modron
DMing The 100 Dungeons of the Blood Archivist , The Hunt for the Balowang and Surviving Tempest City!
Killer Queen has already extended this signature, though not by much!
Chimono scrutinizes Lith. He pulls out a Chair for her, he then sits down with the Lady. `Good Day Madam Oweland, it is a pleasure to meet you. Im Chimono, the Wizard you invited. How may I help?` Says he while taking out his Notebook and Fountain Pen.
As you approach the table, she continues to examine you both. after you greet her , she introduces herself 'Hello there good men, you recieved the letters i sent you, correct? Regardless, you're here now, so lets introduce ourselves. As you know, I am Eda Oweland, lord mayor of this lovely town,' she turns to Lith 'I believe you are mr. Ja'mas,' she then turns to Chimono ' and you're Chimono, right? We're still waiting on a couple more adventurers, so we might be here a while.' she says.
'I suppose its never to early to give you a brief of the mission,' she says, 'Since I was elected mayor of Saltmarsh, I have strived to help my citizens as best I can and people are scared to go south along the coast. Apparently there's this haunted house. People have called it the "sinister secret of saltmarsh" ever since a few people went missing nearby. I need you boys to go down there and clean the place out, figure out why people are scared of it and hopefully make it safe there again. Alright?'
Lith approaches the table and sits down, nodding as Eda addresses him. 'Yes, I'm Lith Ja'Mas, pleasure to meet you. Your humble town has been most welcoming so far, and very...foggy.' He then notices the two vacant chairs, commenting 'Ah, right, it does look like we're waiting on some more to arrive. No matter, I'm happy to wait, best we hold off on much more before they get here.'
Listening closely to her next words, he says 'A haunted house. Doesn't sound too bad, I can manage with a few ghosts, though they're usually hoaxes. In fact, I'm quite good at doing that myself.' He demonstrates this by channelling his psychic energy into making an invisible mage hand behind him, going round and tapping a few patrons on the shoulder to spook them, whilst also creating several effects like doors slamming, lanterns extinguishing, and wood creaking via prestidigitation in the tavern, all together creating the impression that there's a ghost within the room. He conducts all this chaos with his eyes still firmly fixed on Eda, ceasing the spells all at once after a minute or two. He gives a wry smile and says 'I think we'll manage.'
Xaul Lackluster: Half-Orc Fathomless Warlock: Warlock Dragon Heist
Borvnir Chelvnich: Black Dragonborn Barbarian: Dragons of Stormwreck Isle
Pushover Gerilwitz: Tiefling Wizard: Acquisitions Incorporated
Callow Sunken-Eyes: Goliath Arctic Druid: We Are Modron
DMing The 100 Dungeons of the Blood Archivist , The Hunt for the Balowang and Surviving Tempest City!
Killer Queen has already extended this signature, though not by much!
After a few minutes of pleasant discussion , a shadow emerges shrouding the door way. While partially obscured by the blanket of fog, you can clearly make out a humanoid Brandishing an envelope; the fractured crimson seal reading EO. He makes his way toward the table, brushing past uneasy patrons and accompanied by a I relieved expression.
As you cast your spells, the patrons of the tavern are startled by the sudden noises and movements. Some leave hurriedly, trying to escape the chaos. After the effects end, you see Eda's face of shock, which then turns to a proud smile 'I knew you were the right person for this' she says, 'There's few adventurers as skilled as you in these parts. Most would rather go out looking for treasure in the azure sea, trying to gain fame as the best treasure hunters known to man. Unfortunately, they usually all die searching for it.' She then sees a humanoid figure at the entrance 'That must be another one of the adventurers i've hired. Pretty sure his name is Slatechewer.'
Lith smiles and thanks her for her complimentary words 'It's nothing too difficult.' He tries to mask the intrigue he's feeling as she mentions treasure out on the open blue. He's certainly not a common thief anymore, but would still kill for some jewels and coin, yet now is not the time for that. Noticing the figure appear at the door, he lets the name linger and roll on his tongue 'Slate-chew-er. Folk on the Material Plane sure do have some interesting names. He seems strong, and intimidating though. He should be quite an asset.' His eyes then dart to the final seat without a person to it. Looks like the party is nearly complete, and only one unknown adventurer remains.
Xaul Lackluster: Half-Orc Fathomless Warlock: Warlock Dragon Heist
Borvnir Chelvnich: Black Dragonborn Barbarian: Dragons of Stormwreck Isle
Pushover Gerilwitz: Tiefling Wizard: Acquisitions Incorporated
Callow Sunken-Eyes: Goliath Arctic Druid: We Are Modron
DMing The 100 Dungeons of the Blood Archivist , The Hunt for the Balowang and Surviving Tempest City!
Killer Queen has already extended this signature, though not by much!
Suddenly a very large creature comes through the door. It is bigger than the door, but that doesn't bother it. Without further ado, he makes the entrance fit. He realizes that he is already expected, but he walks comfortably to the chair. He sits down but neither introduces himself nor says a word. The only thing he does is look attentively at his companions. The others are also quiet at first. After a brief moment, he bangs on the table and asks what he is needed for now.
Lith is surprised and speechless at the newcomers silent approach. They seem very confident, which is great, though Lith nearly jumps out of his skin when they bang the table and ask what is needed of them. He responds chirpily 'You must be the last member of our party! I'm Lith Ja'Mas, a sorcerer, pleasure to meet you, who may you be?' Whether or not he gets a reply, he tells him (and Teddic Slatechewer if he's seated or in ear shot) that Eda's requested them to go clear out a haunted house. He's still got his suspicions that it might be hoax, perpetuated by the foolish and frightened townspeople, but keeps that to himself.
Xaul Lackluster: Half-Orc Fathomless Warlock: Warlock Dragon Heist
Borvnir Chelvnich: Black Dragonborn Barbarian: Dragons of Stormwreck Isle
Pushover Gerilwitz: Tiefling Wizard: Acquisitions Incorporated
Callow Sunken-Eyes: Goliath Arctic Druid: We Are Modron
DMing The 100 Dungeons of the Blood Archivist , The Hunt for the Balowang and Surviving Tempest City!
Killer Queen has already extended this signature, though not by much!
'Ah, good to see you Bresira.' says Eda 'Now I suppose i need to brief you all on the mission. There's been a supposedly haunted house just south of here for years now, the ******* idiotic Loyalists just refused to take care of it and, since im trying to improve Saltmarsh now im the mayor, I need you to go down there and clear it out. Get rid of anything supernatural you find and you can keep any valuables. I dont want saltmarsh to be associated with this house people call the 'Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh' for any longer than it has to be. Sounds good?' she looks around the table, expecting a quick answer.
We can keep everything we find? That sounds great. Shouted Bresira far too loudly. All the patrons of the tavern turned to look at them. But he simply ignored the signs from the others that he should please keep his voice down. And we just have to kill a few supposed ghosts. I haven't made money this easily in years. He laughed, still very loudly. And the others?
Lith grins at Eda's words and is very happy to see Bresira so enthusiastic. He smiles at him and says 'Guess we'll split everything we find equally, and decide who gets whatever can't be split!' If everyone else is happy with the briefing, he gets up from his chair, thanks Eda for the mission and heads out, looking to go south from the Snapping Line and find this Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh.
[Is there a map of Saltmarsh we could see?]
Xaul Lackluster: Half-Orc Fathomless Warlock: Warlock Dragon Heist
Borvnir Chelvnich: Black Dragonborn Barbarian: Dragons of Stormwreck Isle
Pushover Gerilwitz: Tiefling Wizard: Acquisitions Incorporated
Callow Sunken-Eyes: Goliath Arctic Druid: We Are Modron
DMing The 100 Dungeons of the Blood Archivist , The Hunt for the Balowang and Surviving Tempest City!
Killer Queen has already extended this signature, though not by much!
'However, I do have one request. If you find any information, like old documents, that i might want to know, bring it to me at the Wicker Goat. It's the only other tavern in saltmarsh,' Eda says 'You had best be quick about this. I don't want you wasting my time,'She adds sternly.
As you get ready to leave, she quickly stops you. 'Hold on, you shouldnt leave without a map. I cant have you getting lost like the other group i sent out.' Eda pulls a messily folded map out of her pocket and opens it up. She then looks at it, puzzled 'I read the compass wrong on my map, you're actually going east to the house. South just leads to the sea.' She announces abashedly 'Good thing i had the map on me then,' she mutters to herself. She stretches her arm out and hands the map to Lith.