Bored with nothing to shoot or plan to shoot, Sana sits on a crate, watching Chandor pace curiously. "Are you all right?" she asks, raising an eyebrow. "You seem...jittery. You've done this sort of thing before, right?"

Chandor pauses in his pacing, turning to face Sana. "Done what sort of thing?" he asks warily, before realizing what she meant. "Plotting courses? A million times. I'm good at finding my way." He begins pacing again, watching the shoreline from afar. "I just don't handle waiting well," he says, again studying his maps as he walks. "And you, what brings you aboard?" he asks, hoping to change the subject. 

Sana nods. "Good, always makes me nervous to have an inexperienced navigator. And I'd suggest you get used to waiting, there'll probably be a lot." She stretches, eyes flashing briefly blue before they go back to their previous piercing green. "Captain Carrhae put up some posters around town and I responded to the Master Gunner one. I'm pretty good in battle." She grins. "I'm Sana, by the way. Not sure if I introduced myself back when we were celebrating the assembled crew, and I looked different anyway."

Chandor offers a quick smile, letting his guard down for a second. "Chandor. Chandor Daltos of Silverymoon," he says. "I wouldn't have known. I didn't stay long at the celebration...had some things to attend to before our launch." He pauses on her eyes briefly, some internal conversation playing out in his head before he smiles again. "Battle-tested, eh? Perhaps we'll run across some trouble along the way," he offers, muttering quieter. "I'd welcome the distraction." Stepping over, he lifts his longbow to show her and replies a bit louder. "I'm no gunner, but I'm quite handy with my bow."

Indigo climbs the gangplank hefting a recently unburied whole roast pig, humming happily to herself as she retreats to the galley. 

THE JOURNEY TO SALTMARSH

Thankfully for good navigation, the sail to Saltmarsh down the coast past Waterdeep was largely uneventful. Watching the port of Waterdeep fade into the distance brought mixed feelings, hope, and excitement. You could see the harbor of Saltmarsh come within view later that day. If you look on the Saltmarsh city map, you dock around AREA 19. You are free to explore the town.

MAKING LANDFALL

Saltmarsh’s roughly five thousand residents are predominantly human, with the dwarven mining contingent of about two hundred workers the largest non-human faction in town. Saltmarsh is a bastion of civilization in the midst of an untamed region. Without its stout defenders, it might have long ago fallen to the depredations of outsiders. There are about a hundred guards patrolling the city at a time. Saltmarsh might be encrusted in sea salt and reek of rotting fish guts, but there is gold aplenty in the coffers of its citizens. For more than a century, the ships of Saltmarsh have worked the rich fishing grounds along the coast. Trade ships from near and far have been using the docks to unload their goods, and lately more ships have come to call as the dwarven mining operation grows. Smuggling has also long been a profitable business here.

THE DOCKS

The docks of Saltmarsh are the beating heart of the town. The fishing trade and related commerce that keep the town alive are based here.The docks have recently undergone a series of expansions intended to lure larger merchant vessels into the port. Two primary piers are used to load and unload large ships, while a series of smaller ones accommodate humbler vessels. This part of Saltmarsh is almost constantly busy; it’s rare to see the large piers unoccupied. Guarded warehouses are a common sight in this district, and it is considered suspicious behavior to walk near those places at night. The docks are a hotbed of rumors and gossip. The sailors and laborers who frequent this area are bored, eager for news, and inclined to share what they have heard.

Task: A character who spends a few hours asking for news can learn the current scuttlebutt. 

GENERAL MOOD OF THE TOWN

Saltmarsh is a place of constant energy. Few of the common folk are so affluent that they can afford to sit idle. At sunrise, the docks bustle with fishers preparing to venture out for the day. When they return, they spend time unloading their catch, mending nets, and repairing their vessels. The merchants move their ships into the docks once the fishing fleet is out for the day, and dock workers rush to load and unload goods before the boats return. The daily energy and bustle carries over into rowdy nights. The fishers chug ale and swap stories, each seeking to outdo the other with their tales of the sea. Fights erupt as rival crews cross paths, and the town guard keeps a high profile in hopes of maintaining the peace.

BASE OF OPERATIONS

While you are increasing your reputation in the town by completing missions, Saltmarsh will be considered "HOME BASE". You are free to explore the town at ANY time while not on a mission. Saltmarsh provides a haven for adventurers between expeditions, and you all can spend that time engaged in various tasks around town - or stay on the Belle.

CAROUSING

Saltmarsh has several taverns that provide plenty of opportunities for adventurers to spend their money on fine food and strong drink. Carousing gives the characters a chance to make contacts in town. A week of carousing costs 2d10 gp as you lavish money on food and drink for yourself and others. When carousing, pick a single tavern in town to frequent. At the end of the week, you earn a contact in town. You can have a maximum number of contacts in town equal to 1 + your Charisma bonus (minimum of 1). The nature of the contacts depends on the chosen tavern. The DM creates a specific contact, such as the bartender at the appropriate tavern or a specific person you have connected with. Optionally, the DM can instead allow you to declare an NPC as a contact when you meet them, provided that the individual fits the contact type. In this case, you recognize the NPC as a pal from your time spent carousing. In either case, that individual acts as a trusted friend and offers help as necessary, though they are unwilling to risk their life or possessions.

OUTSIDE SALTMARSH

The land near Saltmarsh is safe for travelers, as are the roads that cut through the region. Small farms and manor houses dot the area, many maintained by army veterans who were granted land by royal decree. A number of small halfling villages are scattered around the area, located just off the main roads. Such locations consist of several farmhouses clustered around a pub that provides a warm welcome to visitors who come in peace. Once one journeys off the beaten path, however, a variety of threats emerge from the swampy wilderness. The adventures in this campaign are meant to interact with the various points of interest on the overhead map surrounding Saltmarsh. The first adventure will be "The Haunted House."

OUR FIRST CONTACT

Misha has a contact in Saltmarsh named Councilman Anders Solmor. He has requested an audience with the officers once you arrive and settle in. He can be found at AREA 14, the Council Hall.

Carrhae stayed out on top of the deck. In addition to making sure that everyone did their job, she also stayed out to get a look at the open air and the ocean. She stood at the stern, looking at the City of Waterdeep, watching it get smaller and smaller until it finally left her view. Well, I guess that I'm really starting a new chapter now. She was pleasantly surprised to find that the journey to Saltmarsh didn't even last a whole day. When the Belle docked in Saltmarsh, Carrhae left her armor on the boat, but she brought her sword and shield with her. She had learned that walking around in a full set of armor had a way of making her look like a guard, which made it harder to get information than if she just used her natural assets. And she was hoping that she wouldn't get into a fight on her first day, but even if she did, that's what the sword and shield were for, to let people know that she wasn't just a pretty face. Not like anyone would notice she was armed, given what people usually focused on. As the crew disembarked, Carrhae remained aware of the surroundings, trying to gauge how people were reacting to her crew.

In the few hours that remained before sunset, Carrhae spoke to the sailors, trying to get information. And then Carrhae would retrieve her armor and her officers and go meet Misha's contact.

Erriviel elected to stay aboard until it was time to meet with the councilman, not wanting to mingle with the cruder parts of town. Once the sun began to set, he walked up on deck in a rich purple coat with a hood shadowing a plain, white mask. Anyone looking closely would notice that the color of his eyes were the strange lavender found only among the drow, and that he had two daggers concealed underneath his coat despite appearing unarmed.

"Shall we, then?"

At the first opportunity, Chandor departs the ship, moving quickly across the dock until his feet touch solid ground. There he pauses, his eyes closed as he re-acclimates himself to land. The ranger then makes his way to one of the nearby taverns, spending a few coin on drink and speaking with others about the comings and goings in Saltmarsh before taking his cue from the captain and returning to the ship. 

Sana grins. "Pretty battle-tested. And I'm willing to bet we'd welcome your bow in the event of a battle. Nice to meet you, Chandor. I'm not from any particular place. I look forward to getting to know you a little more!"

Later:

Sana looks over Saltmarsh with a delighted grin. Today she's tall with pale skin and Misha's hair back in a braid. Her eyes are a kaleidoscope of colors. She quickly hops off the ship and starts talking to the sailors, her easy chatter about Waterdeep making her immediately eminently likeable. She heads back to the ship after a few hours, where she checks over the guns carefully to make sure they're in top condition. When the officers depart for the contact meeting, she waves them off with a grin.

Syltra had prepared for this journey for a long time—too long, in her opinion. Her maiden voyage as a rigger need to go off flawlessly. It was for this reason that she had been double- and triple-checking the rigging and the sails, and jumping to attention anytime another member of the crew so much as happened by.

Carrhae (talked to some of the sailors): You came across a group of sailors who, after gawking at you for a little, seemed a bit disgruntled, talking about how "it’s only a matter of time before the dwarves dig too deep and unleash something horrible." They didn't elaborate.

Chandor (went to one of the taverns): The closest tavern to AREA 19 was "The Snapping Line" at AREA 13. There, you found the place filled with fishermen, sailors, and laborers. This popular inn and tavern is built from the planks and hulls of half a dozen decommissioned fishing ships. Its decor is predictably nautical in theme, and its sleeping rooms are plain but comfortable renditions of a ship’s cabins. The smell of fish has never been scrubbed from its walls. Many people gather here to trade stories and drink into the night. You overheard something strange: "A couple of fishing boats have gone missing. If the sea devils aren’t behind it, I’m a merman."

Sana (talked to some of the sailors): You came across a group of merchants and sailors at the docks who were in the middle of discussing about how "the king’s agents have infiltrated town. It’s only a matter of time before they remove the council and replace them with foppish nobles." They didn't trust you enough to continue the conversation.

Misha gathered Carrhae, Kali, Erriviel, and Grishkar and said, "Now that we are here, when we are settled, I hef counsilman contact who weeshes to see us. He ees Anders Solmor. When we are all ready, we go introduce us, ya? Have orders for us to go see him, and lend assistance. Says he has eenteresting job for us."

"Sure thing. We're going to need his help anyway." Carrhae heads off with the other officers, trusting that the rest of the crew can either stay out of trouble or are able to get themselves out of it if they do manage to land in hot water. Even Sloop knows how to make himself scarce when he needs to.

Kali had complimented Chandor on his navigational skills when they successfully docked themselves in Saltmarsh. "That was the smoothest sail I've have in a long time, lad. Carrhae picked a good one!" She'd say, giving the ranger a heavy pat on the shoulder before moving out and getting the lay of of the place. Being large and blue did get her some attention, mostly wanted, as she would commune with those she caught sight of looking at her. General questions, maybe inquiring of certain special substances if the character looked shady or not, but mainly regarding which tavern they considered would be best for a drink for a lass like her.

She would save the tavern for later, however, seeing as she had a meeting to attend to and didn't want to be the last to arrive. She'd dressed herself in her usual outfit (red coat and hat included), this time actually wearing a shirt that wasn't left open for everyone to stare at her chest and abs, and switched out her plain eyepatch with one with a gem adornment in the middle of a golden sun. "Been ages since I wore this whole outfit," Kali mutters to herself, adjusting her coat. "Let's get this shit over with. Lead on, little red." She says to Misha and the rest of the officers.

Misha grabber her jacket. It was tight, black, and sporty looking - again, looking like a uniform compliment. I had no designs on it except for a symbol of Bane on the upper left breast area. She opened her weapon cabinet and took what looked like a foot long metal pipe, like a smooth martial weapon hilt. It was a small red arcane symbol on it, like a button. She clipped it concealed on her belt, and it was covered by her jacket. She joined up with the others. She told the deck crew who was staying onboard to keep an eye peeled while they were gone.

This was a new town with Scarlet Brotherhood agents abound. She couldn't wait to get started and rid the cosmos of Hellish minions.

"Ok!" Misha said, "I am ready. Let's go."  They headed to AREA 14, the Council Hall of Saltmarsh.

Syltra stumbles out of the tavern and runs into the officers on their way to the Council Hall. She straightens to the best of her ability. "Haaaail, hello! Cap'n!" She salutes, unsteady. "Happy to provide comp'ny to you this evening. At your disposal."

Carrhae smiles warmly at Syltra and reaches up to give Syltra a friendly pat on the shoulder. Carrhae was taller than the average woman, but the firbolg easily towered over her by at least a foot. "Syltra, I appreciate your enthusiasm and devotion, how you drove yourself into such a state yesterday making sure that the ship was ready to go this morning and how you're ready to go along with us on our meeting. But the five of us can handle this one and it looks like you've had a bit to drink, which isn't a problem, we just got here, you can all have fun at the tavern, learn what you can, make friends with the locals, but perhaps you should go back to the ship, sleep this off, and ask Chef to pour you some coffee tomorrow morning to get you ready to face the day. Indigo's coffee is rather good. Once Misha's contact had given us our mission, I'll tell you before any of the other non-officers and I promise that you'll get to come along with me. But tonight, your assignment is to get some rest. Captains orders."

"Yeah, rest, okay." Syltra heads back to the tavern and somehow manages to pay for a room for the night before passing out.

THE COUNCIL HALL
ANDERS SOLMOR

The large brick building that is the Council Hall contains the offices of the town council and the chamber where they meet to discuss the town business. The hall is built from sturdy stone from the nearby cliffs and a variety of hardwood from the nearby Hool Marshes. A wooden sign depicting a net filled with fish hangs above the double doors leading into the hall. A small tower rises from the building, housing a horn at the top, which is blown to announce the beginning of a council session or other significant events. The town has a sturdy but weather beaten platform and gallows in front of the hall for use in the event of an execution. 

Since the five of you are indeed an uncommon sight, especially Grishkar and Erriviel. The Council Hall is quite busy today and no one immediately attends to you right away, that is, until a young handsome man approaches you. 

"What have we HERE?" Anders says proudly, approaching you all. "Why, of course! You must be the Acheronian! Wonderful!" 

When Misha saw Anders approach, she immediately took him by the shoulders and gave him a big hug. He grunted at the impact, and laughed as she released him.

"Yes! I am Misha Praskovia!" she announced. "We come upon your request - are from Belle of the Sea. Thees ees Captain Carrhae, First Mate Kali, Doctor Griskhar, and Quartermaster Erriviel. Very pleased to meet you, Meester Solmor."

Anders looks you all over, his eyes especially glinting at the beauty of Carrhae and Kali. "Oh my word. What a trio of beautiful women you are." He takes Carrhae by the hand, offers a Noble's kiss. "Very please to meet you, Captain Carrhae." He does the same to Kali, taking your hand to kiss it's top. "Bless the Sea Gods, I am a lucky man to be introduced to such beauty." Then, looking over to Grishkar and Erriviel - he offers his hand. "Well! Pleasure to meet your acquaintances gentlemen! How are you all this fine evening?" 

Behind his mask, Erriviel grimaces at the councilman's greeting. I swear, if everyone is Saltmarsh is this sickly sweet, I'm going to have to work on keeping myself sharp.

He extends his hand, accepting the shake, "A pleasure, indeed. The evening is fine, but it is my understanding that some things are not quite as well. Pray tell, how may we be of assistance?"