Waves of Peril

The Party has been resting and recovering from the expedition to the Dreadwood, when a messenger arrives with a summons to the Saltmarsh Council.

Argus prepares to go to the Saltmarsh Council

Maya too would prepare to leave to go to Council, but not without a little groaning. She disliked the formality of politics.

Excited to meet the Council, Seethe prepares her things. First thin in the morning she goes to the beach, takes an early bath in the sea and then, still wet, put her clothes on back and goes to the Council. By the time she reaches it, some of her robes and her hair are still wet but she seems comfortable. 

The Council appears to be glad that seasoned adventurers such as yourselves are in town. after a few pleasantries , things get down to business. Anders Solmar, a human male in his late twenties, addresses the Party. "On behalf of the Council of Saltmarsh, I thank you for attending this meeting. Recently a smuggling ring was disbanded. Going through the smuggler's records, it was discovered that they were selling weapons to a tribe of Lizard folk." He produces a map from the folds of his robes, and hands it to one of the Characters. "This map was discovered in the Captain's Cabin of their ship. We believe it shows the way to the Lizard folks lair. The council would like for your Party, to reconnoiter the area. We need to know their size, and strength. Most of all, we need to know their intentions. The Council will pay 700 gold for completing the mission successfully".Anders takes a deep breath. "I cannot emphasize enough, that you avoid conflict with the Lizard folk if possible. Saltmarsh doesn't need a hostile tribe of Lizard folk in the area." He warns the Party.

OOC how would my character be inserted here steve?

"Get in. Have a lookie-loo. Get out. Don't be seen. Get paid. Sounds like a feckin' dream."

"I think we can do that " smiles Seethe trying to comfort the tribuled Head of the Council. "We don0t need to be the cause of more troubles to Saltmarsh but to help it don't we friends?"

(I offer you bacon, and you're in new friend. PS I miss Toonary ;.; )

Maya would be trying her hardest to avoid pacing the room. It sounded easy enough, but she had some skepticism. "Is there anything else we should know?"

Insight: 21

(Maya) You sense no deception on part of Anders, and his fellow Council Members.

Studying the map you see that there are two ways to the suspected location of the lair. The distance from Saltmarsh is about 10 miles as the crow flies to the southeast. Traveling by sea would take 3 hours. By land  around 12 hours. Anders informs the Party that a modified keelboat with a two man crew is available, for Party use. If they chose to go by land, horses will be loaned to the Party.

The halfling thief thinks a moment, twiddling a dagger in his hands.

"I vote boat. Horses hurt my arse."

Maya would nod to Gridolpho, in agreement, “I’m a fan of going by boat.”

“Let’s go by boat! Definitely!” Says the cleric really happy about that. 

Later, after gathering your equipment you meet Anders Solomar at the Saltmarsh docks. With Anders is Eliander Fireborn, and two of Fireborn's men. The two guardsmen are getting the Keelboat ready. Anders smiles as you approach. Eliander's face is neutral.

" Ah, Good you made it." Anders greets the Party warmly. Eliander just nods his head. "As  you can see here is the boat that the council has authorized for your use." Anders gestures toward the Keelboat. " The good Captain, has consented to provide two of his finest men to crew the vessel." He informs you. Eliander clears his throat to get your attention. "My men have orders to transport your Party to the Objective. Once there they will guard the boat, and await your return." Eliander looks at each of you. "If you haven't returned after two days, they are to consider your mission a failure, and return to Saltmarsh." He warns.

With the assistance of the two crewmen you stow your equipment aboard the keelboat, and say your goodbyes to the councilman, and guard captain. minutes later the docks are slowly receding, as the boat makes its way  towards the Party's destination. 

Maya would have been too excited to be close to the water to truly have paid full attention to the councilman and guard captain beyond civil pleasantries. As soon as they're aloud to board the keelboat, the druid would be on it, checking out every corner of the boat for the best seat and view. She'd reach out with one hand, using her shape water cantrip to summon some water from the side of the boat to play with. She'd shape it, make it dance, disperse it and freeze it so that it snows back down into the water while she waits for the others to get comfortable.

Argus is enjoying the views of the water...  keeping a keen eye out for trouble

Gridolpho boards the ship and then immediately climbs the rigging to the highest point he can with ease.

The journey is pleasant with a pod of dolphins cavorting alongside the boat for awhile before leaving. Finally, you see a rocky promomontory . As you approach you discern  a relatively dry track that runs from the coast into the marshy interior. As you get closer you spot another track that runs up to the middle elevations of the promontory before disappearing behind tall grasses, and flowering shrubs. (Total promontory height is 80'.) You also spot 15' wide, 6' high sea cave entrance on the northeastern tip of the promontory.

Which path do you choose to tread upon?

While on the boat, Maya would approach the newcomer to the group (the_tarnished_dragon if they're still here) and she'd offer them a piece of bacon, "Welcome to our rag tag group of adventurers."

Maya would look to Gridolpho, "Assuming we may want to inspect these entrances for tracks and traps perhaps?"

Toonary seeing Maya's gesture of bacon would finally get out of his finger he had been in sense taking lives of the cultists.