Vertheg sits uncomfortably with you for a short while. You manage to learn from him that Aubreck is a longtime Saltmarsh merchant - a merchant prince of quite some stature. His trade fleet was, according to Vertheg, one of the largest and most prosperous of its kind, with hundreds of ships under his banner dodging storms, pirate raids, and aquatic monsters to carry goods across the world.
But Vertheg is awkward, his clothing threadbare. Not the smooth, professional butler you might expect from a world-class merchant prince.
He seems more at ease once Dwal suggests taking Aubreck up on his invitation.
...he can find a good area map in a waterproof scroll case. ...checking on the Lizardfolk a few times before the meeting to make sure they are doing well. ...Gerrard will also try to find out what happened to the Lizardfolk’s weapons order.
Dwal:
...slide a peek in on the Lizardfolk and see how the guards of the town are treating them if he can.
The locals can describe the area loosely, but no detailed maps are readily available. Winston can make maps to the Hool Marshes, you hear, in case you ever want to go back there.
Garrard and Dwal checked in on the Lizardfolk. They are under very close watch - they are not free to roam the city, but they are being kept comfortable at the City Guard's barracks and treated well. Farbern spent hours in intense discussions with them, from which you were politely kept at a distance. As to the weapon stash, you hear from the Guards that the Lizardfolk shipment remains under lock-and-key in the warehouses on the harbor, and is unlikely to go anywhere anytime soon.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Peri:
Verteg's story is at odds with his appearance. Of course a rich merchant could simply be a tightwad, but even then you'd expect his servant to be pretty snooty. Something's not square here. (Insight check to try to get a read on why the butler is so squirrelly: 17)
Peri figures he ought to have a private conversation with his companions before entering this Aubrek's home. "We've got a big council meeting in a bit, and I'd hate to shortchange Mr Aubrek. Could we see him first thing tomorrow?"
Peri doesn't perceive any outright lying from Vertheg. Maybe a touch of exaggeration when he spoke of the wealth of his employer. He seems like no angel, however. Verthag seems perfectly comfortable in the tavern, although he's definitely socially awkward. You can tell he'd rather be elsewhere right now.
"It is a time-sensitive job," he explains. "So if you have even a few minutes, I'm sure Mr. Aubreck will keep it short. But if it must wait until tomorrow morning, he will understand."
"Master Fenwader, if it will only take a few minutes, we should have time before the council meeting," offers Gerrard, though it is clear he wishes to eat first.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
"Time-sensitive job eh?" Dwal asks. "We don't seem to have nothing but those."
Dwal sits back down and turns to his companions. "I'll wait but I vote we meet this new prospect prior to the council meeting to find out what is going on. I don't see us as being a major part of this up an' coming war, but I've been known to be wrong." Dwal takes a drink.
"Oh, Master Dwarf, don't sell yourself short. You've never been wrong, I'm sure."Kei chugs his apple wine to keep from laughing at his own joke. After a hard swallow he voices his opinion. "I agree with Mr Quietly-brooding here. A quick visit to this O'Brick character is probably in order. I can't see a meeting taking 3 hours, even if Dwal and Mr Aubergine get to discussing the finer points of dwarven masonry. My vote is to see what this fellow is on about."In closing he stands and walks to the bar.
"Well, if the rest of the group is in favor of it, I guess we'll meet with your boss now. So long as we don't commit to any tasks until we've been to see the Grand Council. In fact, if we're goin', might as well accompany you back. No time like the present." Peri hopes the whole group will go with Vertheg, but if they can't he'll stick to the butler like glue -- no sense letting him run ahead to alert Me Aubrek. Probably a legitimate businessman, he thinks, but there's somethin' sketchy about this situation.
You can sense an air of relief as Vertheg promptly leads you down the westernmost lane in town. You pass the wall which you so recently climbed over, and the home that had been ambushed by gnolls. Past Dwal's old barracks you pass Keledek Tower - a strange, three-story wooden tower owned by Missy's old boss, Keledek. (With dusky skin, bald head, and bright red silk turban — not to mention his height of nearly seven feet — Keledek is an unmistakable and somewhat feared figure in town.)
It's early afternoon, dark and overcast and damp. A cold wind cuts through you. You finally arrive at the end of the lane, atop steep cliffs overlooking the bay, upon the highest ground on this side of town, to a sprawling old mansion which has seen better days. Vertheg lets you in. An older man appears in the hallway. "Yes, yes! Good, good! Hello and welcome, my friends. My name is Aubreck. Thank you so much for coming!"
Aubreck is an older human man, pushing 70. His clothes are fancy and expensive, but old and worn and old-fashioned. He keeps his iron-gray hair pulled back in a short ponytail, and his mustache is neatly tended.
He leads you into a formal sitting parlour.
"I've heard lots of impressive things about you fellows. I have a proposition for you. ...Candy?" He pulls out a tray of dusty mints and offers you one.
Bowing slightly, Gerrard says, “A pleasure to meet you, Master Aubreck. My name is Gerrard Feldren.” Gerrard reaches out and selects a mint, putting it in his mouth and nodding in thanks.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
Kei holds up a few fingers to indicate his decline of the sweets. "Thanks, but I have a sugar allergy." Following Gerrard's example he does give a small bow of the head though to recognise the man's, although obviously waning, social status. "You have summoned us here twice now. We have pressing matters with the town council so forgive my brashness. What is it we can do for you?"Straight to the point, Kei looks to get the meeting done with.
Gerrard finds the mint stuck to the tray. It takes a bit of effort with a fingernail to pry it off. It tastes pretty good.
Aubreck sits and sighs, offering you seats in his parlor.
"I'm a merchant. I buy and sell. I make a living. I was once very successful."
"But I made a mistake many years ago. My contacts in the southern jungles reported that I could monopolize trade in rare spices and herbs by making heavy investments in the area. In my foolishness, I took the opportunity as a sure thing. I sold off many of my assets and converted the proceeds to property deeds and promissory notes, then secured that portable wealth aboard Emperor of the Waves, the foremost ship in my fleet."
"My plan was to convert these notes back into cash when the ship reached its destination in the south, but fate introduced a cruel twist, and Emperor of the Waves disappeared. A storm separated the ship from its escort, and it was never heard from again. It was a devastating financial loss."
"Fifteen days ago, I received word that Emperor of the Waves had been spotted adrift in the southern sea, apparently a ghost ship. I promptly hired a ship and crew to sail to the derelict. I need to recover the deeds and documents that sailed with the ship. But first what I need are a few brave souls able to deal with whatever threats might present themselves aboard the Emperor and bring back my box."
"The ship holds a magic box containing promissory notes and property deeds worth a total of 100,000 gold. I will offer you a fee of 10 percent – 10,000 gold – to recover it. As a gesture of good faith, I can offer you an advance payment of 200 gold. The ship was recently spotted adrift, approximately five days out from land."
"I worry that someone else might claim the ship’s goods as salvage if we don’t act quickly. I have already hired a ship, Soul of Winter, and a crew to mount a mission to the derelict. Now I need some adventurous folks like yourselves to go along and board the Emperor once you reach it, then find the box and bring it back."
"That's it. That's my pitch." He holds his hands open in his lap.
"An unfortunate turn of events for you, Master Aubreck, to lose such a fine ship, but a hopeful sign that it has been seen again. Do you have any plan to recover the ship itself, or do you merely wish the magic box from it?" asks Gerrard, already thinking how such an adventure could fit into their current schedule.
"I am sympathetic to your plight, and I would suggest to my companions that we help you, for your reward is generous and your cause just. We must hear what the council has to say of the lizardfolk and the cultists of Xolor before we commit to such a long sail away from Saltmarsh, of course," adds Gerrard. Suddenly hit with an idea, he asks, "Are you planning to be at the council meeting this evening, Master Aubreck? We have the chance to make allies of the LIzardfolk, and your voice in the matter would be appreciated, I am sure."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Peri:
Hmm, a reversal of fortune, loss of status... it could be why Vertheg looked so outta sorts... As the old man tells his tale Peri, having earlier gotten somewhat of a read on the half-orc, will watch him closely to see if the butler looks surprised or gives any other indication that his master is not being entirely forthright. Insight18
"And what of the Emperor herself? Are we to leave her adrift, scuttle her, or try to sail her home? It breaks my heart to see a good ship slide under the waves, but it'd be much worse to let the pirates take her."
Dwal follows his companions with little fanfare, quiet most of the way.
Upon arrival, Dwal response to the offer of dusty candy is, "No thank you."
Dwal listens to Aurbeck's plight in silence. He listens to his companion's responses, mulling over what he should say about the situation.
Finally he speaks up: 'If'n ye don't mind I do have a few questions." Dwal will say. Dwal waits a moment then he begins: "How have ye confirmed that this is yer ship that is running spook across the waves? This place and the surrounding seas are plagued by pirates, why haven't they picked this ship up, to yer mind? Why do ye think there are threats on this Ghost ship of yers?"
Do you have any plan to recover the ship itself, or do you merely wish the magic box from it?" ... Suddenly hit with an idea, he asks, "Are you planning to be at the council meeting this evening, Master Aubreck?"
"My eye-witness, whom I trust, tells me the ship is a shattered wreck. Heavily damaged. Shorn of sails. One storm and its likely to go down for good. Why it's afloat in the first place is a mystery, but I have no expectations to recover the ship. That would be a bonus."
"No, I tend to avoid Council meetings. A little dull. And besides, I don't get along with all of the Council members. We have had our professional disagreements in the past. Old history."
Peri:
will watch him closely to see if the butler looks surprised or gives any other indication that his master is not being entirely forthright. Insight 25 ... "And what of the Emperor herself? Are we to leave her adrift, scuttle her, or try to sail her home? It breaks my heart to see a good ship slide under the waves, but it'd be much worse to let the pirates take her."
The butler appears bored, and disappears.
"You may do with the Emperor what is practical. It's the box that's important to me. As to pirates, well, I can only wonder if the pirates have the ship now."
Dwal:
"How have ye confirmed that this is yer ship that is running spook across the waves? This place and the surrounding seas are plagued by pirates, why haven't they picked this ship up, to yer mind? Why do ye think there are threats on this Ghost ship of yers?"
"It's the Emperor alright. I trust my friend's account. But that's an excellent question. I don't know that the pirates haven't. But the ship has no mast, and is a floating wreck – I don't know that pirates would sail an unnavigable ship, either. Something is very strange about it. Nevertheless, I am overjoyed with the thought that my box could still be intact after all this time."
In response to Aubreck's answers Dwal will ask: "What do ye mean by "there's something strange about it?" "Is there a curse on the ship or on you that ye know about?"
In response to Aubreck's answers Dwal will ask: "What do ye mean by "there's something strange about it?" "Is there a curse on the ship or on you that ye know about?"
"Not to my knowledge, but the Emperor has been gone for years. Why is it now floating far from land, without sails? Reports were that its figurehead, once a majestic angel in flight, has been hacked and disfigured. My box may be long gone, but it is impenetrable and sealed with extremely powerful magic – I feel fairly confident that it is intact, if it is still onboard. Fetch my box, and I will make you wealthy."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Kei
Suddenly becoming aware that his mouth is wide open he slowly closes it. Never had he been offered such a haul. "Ten thou..." His brain gains control again. "You see Mr Aubreck, our usual fee is fifteen percent. But considering the plight of your business and the ill fortune you have suffered, we can certainly reduce that to twelve. For that you secure our services and more importantly, you secure your magic box."He speaks like a true salesman, confident but not condescending. "Our services are in high demand at the moment, and we do have council business to attend to, you know the usual - saving Saltmarsh and recovering artifacts - but we are more than happy to help. What say you?" He casually throws the ball back into the merchants court. All the while his heart racing at the thought of what he could do with 10,000 gold.
5
((Natural 20 roll for either Deception (+10) or Persuasion (+5). Whichever you see fit for his haggling effort))
Dwal
"Let's take a walk then" Dwal states and stands to follow.
Vertheg sits uncomfortably with you for a short while. You manage to learn from him that Aubreck is a longtime Saltmarsh merchant - a merchant prince of quite some stature. His trade fleet was, according to Vertheg, one of the largest and most prosperous of its kind, with hundreds of ships under his banner dodging storms, pirate raids, and aquatic monsters to carry goods across the world.
But Vertheg is awkward, his clothing threadbare. Not the smooth, professional butler you might expect from a world-class merchant prince.
He seems more at ease once Dwal suggests taking Aubreck up on his invitation.
(Some old business from yesterday I neglected):
Gerrard:
Dwal:
The locals can describe the area loosely, but no detailed maps are readily available. Winston can make maps to the Hool Marshes, you hear, in case you ever want to go back there.
Garrard and Dwal checked in on the Lizardfolk. They are under very close watch - they are not free to roam the city, but they are being kept comfortable at the City Guard's barracks and treated well. Farbern spent hours in intense discussions with them, from which you were politely kept at a distance. As to the weapon stash, you hear from the Guards that the Lizardfolk shipment remains under lock-and-key in the warehouses on the harbor, and is unlikely to go anywhere anytime soon.
Peri:
Verteg's story is at odds with his appearance. Of course a rich merchant could simply be a tightwad, but even then you'd expect his servant to be pretty snooty. Something's not square here. (Insight check to try to get a read on why the butler is so squirrelly: 17)
Peri figures he ought to have a private conversation with his companions before entering this Aubrek's home. "We've got a big council meeting in a bit, and I'd hate to shortchange Mr Aubrek. Could we see him first thing tomorrow?"
Peri doesn't perceive any outright lying from Vertheg. Maybe a touch of exaggeration when he spoke of the wealth of his employer. He seems like no angel, however. Verthag seems perfectly comfortable in the tavern, although he's definitely socially awkward. You can tell he'd rather be elsewhere right now.
"It is a time-sensitive job," he explains. "So if you have even a few minutes, I'm sure Mr. Aubreck will keep it short. But if it must wait until tomorrow morning, he will understand."
Gerrard:
"Master Fenwader, if it will only take a few minutes, we should have time before the council meeting," offers Gerrard, though it is clear he wishes to eat first.
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
Dwal
"Time-sensitive job eh?" Dwal asks. "We don't seem to have nothing but those."
Dwal sits back down and turns to his companions. "I'll wait but I vote we meet this new prospect prior to the council meeting to find out what is going on. I don't see us as being a major part of this up an' coming war, but I've been known to be wrong." Dwal takes a drink.
Dwal will say little more for the present.
Kei
"Oh, Master Dwarf, don't sell yourself short. You've never been wrong, I'm sure." Kei chugs his apple wine to keep from laughing at his own joke. After a hard swallow he voices his opinion. "I agree with Mr Quietly-brooding here. A quick visit to this O'Brick character is probably in order. I can't see a meeting taking 3 hours, even if Dwal and Mr Aubergine get to discussing the finer points of dwarven masonry. My vote is to see what this fellow is on about." In closing he stands and walks to the bar.
Peri:
"Well, if the rest of the group is in favor of it, I guess we'll meet with your boss now. So long as we don't commit to any tasks until we've been to see the Grand Council. In fact, if we're goin', might as well accompany you back. No time like the present." Peri hopes the whole group will go with Vertheg, but if they can't he'll stick to the butler like glue -- no sense letting him run ahead to alert Me Aubrek. Probably a legitimate businessman, he thinks, but there's somethin' sketchy about this situation.
You can sense an air of relief as Vertheg promptly leads you down the westernmost lane in town. You pass the wall which you so recently climbed over, and the home that had been ambushed by gnolls. Past Dwal's old barracks you pass Keledek Tower - a strange, three-story wooden tower owned by Missy's old boss, Keledek. (With dusky skin, bald head, and bright red silk turban — not to mention his height of nearly seven feet — Keledek is an unmistakable and somewhat feared figure in town.)
It's early afternoon, dark and overcast and damp. A cold wind cuts through you. You finally arrive at the end of the lane, atop steep cliffs overlooking the bay, upon the highest ground on this side of town, to a sprawling old mansion which has seen better days. Vertheg lets you in. An older man appears in the hallway. "Yes, yes! Good, good! Hello and welcome, my friends. My name is Aubreck. Thank you so much for coming!"
Aubreck is an older human man, pushing 70. His clothes are fancy and expensive, but old and worn and old-fashioned. He keeps his iron-gray hair pulled back in a short ponytail, and his mustache is neatly tended.
He leads you into a formal sitting parlour.
"I've heard lots of impressive things about you fellows. I have a proposition for you. ...Candy?" He pulls out a tray of dusty mints and offers you one.
Gerrard:
Bowing slightly, Gerrard says, “A pleasure to meet you, Master Aubreck. My name is Gerrard Feldren.” Gerrard reaches out and selects a mint, putting it in his mouth and nodding in thanks.
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
Kei
Kei holds up a few fingers to indicate his decline of the sweets. "Thanks, but I have a sugar allergy." Following Gerrard's example he does give a small bow of the head though to recognise the man's, although obviously waning, social status. "You have summoned us here twice now. We have pressing matters with the town council so forgive my brashness. What is it we can do for you?" Straight to the point, Kei looks to get the meeting done with.
Gerrard finds the mint stuck to the tray. It takes a bit of effort with a fingernail to pry it off. It tastes pretty good.
Aubreck sits and sighs, offering you seats in his parlor.
"I'm a merchant. I buy and sell. I make a living. I was once very successful."
"But I made a mistake many years ago. My contacts in the southern jungles reported that I could monopolize trade in rare spices and herbs by making heavy investments in the area. In my foolishness, I took the opportunity as a sure thing. I sold off many of my assets and converted the proceeds to property deeds and promissory notes, then secured that portable wealth aboard Emperor of the Waves, the foremost ship in my fleet."
"My plan was to convert these notes back into cash when the ship reached its destination in the south, but fate introduced a cruel twist, and Emperor of the Waves disappeared. A storm separated the ship from its escort, and it was never heard from again. It was a devastating financial loss."
"Fifteen days ago, I received word that Emperor of the Waves had been spotted adrift in the southern sea, apparently a ghost ship. I promptly hired a ship and crew to sail to the derelict. I need to recover the deeds and documents that sailed with the ship. But first what I need are a few brave souls able to deal with whatever threats might present themselves aboard the Emperor and bring back my box."
"The ship holds a magic box containing promissory notes and property deeds worth a total of 100,000 gold. I will offer you a fee of 10 percent – 10,000 gold – to recover it. As a gesture of good faith, I can offer you an advance payment of 200 gold. The ship was recently spotted adrift, approximately five days out from land."
"I worry that someone else might claim the ship’s goods as salvage if we don’t act quickly. I have already hired a ship, Soul of Winter, and a crew to mount a mission to the derelict. Now I need some adventurous folks like yourselves to go along and board the Emperor once you reach it, then find the box and bring it back."
"That's it. That's my pitch." He holds his hands open in his lap.
Gerrard:
"An unfortunate turn of events for you, Master Aubreck, to lose such a fine ship, but a hopeful sign that it has been seen again. Do you have any plan to recover the ship itself, or do you merely wish the magic box from it?" asks Gerrard, already thinking how such an adventure could fit into their current schedule.
"I am sympathetic to your plight, and I would suggest to my companions that we help you, for your reward is generous and your cause just. We must hear what the council has to say of the lizardfolk and the cultists of Xolor before we commit to such a long sail away from Saltmarsh, of course," adds Gerrard. Suddenly hit with an idea, he asks, "Are you planning to be at the council meeting this evening, Master Aubreck? We have the chance to make allies of the LIzardfolk, and your voice in the matter would be appreciated, I am sure."
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
Peri:
Hmm, a reversal of fortune, loss of status... it could be why Vertheg looked so outta sorts... As the old man tells his tale Peri, having earlier gotten somewhat of a read on the half-orc, will watch him closely to see if the butler looks surprised or gives any other indication that his master is not being entirely forthright. Insight 18
"And what of the Emperor herself? Are we to leave her adrift, scuttle her, or try to sail her home? It breaks my heart to see a good ship slide under the waves, but it'd be much worse to let the pirates take her."
Dwal
Dwal follows his companions with little fanfare, quiet most of the way.
Upon arrival, Dwal response to the offer of dusty candy is, "No thank you."
Dwal listens to Aurbeck's plight in silence. He listens to his companion's responses, mulling over what he should say about the situation.
Finally he speaks up: 'If'n ye don't mind I do have a few questions." Dwal will say. Dwal waits a moment then he begins:
"How have ye confirmed that this is yer ship that is running spook across the waves?
This place and the surrounding seas are plagued by pirates, why haven't they picked this ship up, to yer mind?
Why do ye think there are threats on this Ghost ship of yers?"
Gerrard:
"My eye-witness, whom I trust, tells me the ship is a shattered wreck. Heavily damaged. Shorn of sails. One storm and its likely to go down for good. Why it's afloat in the first place is a mystery, but I have no expectations to recover the ship. That would be a bonus."
"No, I tend to avoid Council meetings. A little dull. And besides, I don't get along with all of the Council members. We have had our professional disagreements in the past. Old history."
Peri:
The butler appears bored, and disappears.
"You may do with the Emperor what is practical. It's the box that's important to me. As to pirates, well, I can only wonder if the pirates have the ship now."
Dwal:
"It's the Emperor alright. I trust my friend's account. But that's an excellent question. I don't know that the pirates haven't. But the ship has no mast, and is a floating wreck – I don't know that pirates would sail an unnavigable ship, either. Something is very strange about it. Nevertheless, I am overjoyed with the thought that my box could still be intact after all this time."
Dwal
In response to Aubreck's answers Dwal will ask:
"What do ye mean by "there's something strange about it?" "Is there a curse on the ship or on you that ye know about?"
"Not to my knowledge, but the Emperor has been gone for years. Why is it now floating far from land, without sails? Reports were that its figurehead, once a majestic angel in flight, has been hacked and disfigured. My box may be long gone, but it is impenetrable and sealed with extremely powerful magic – I feel fairly confident that it is intact, if it is still onboard. Fetch my box, and I will make you wealthy."
Kei
Suddenly becoming aware that his mouth is wide open he slowly closes it. Never had he been offered such a haul. "Ten thou..." His brain gains control again. "You see Mr Aubreck, our usual fee is fifteen percent. But considering the plight of your business and the ill fortune you have suffered, we can certainly reduce that to twelve. For that you secure our services and more importantly, you secure your magic box." He speaks like a true salesman, confident but not condescending. "Our services are in high demand at the moment, and we do have council business to attend to, you know the usual - saving Saltmarsh and recovering artifacts - but we are more than happy to help. What say you?" He casually throws the ball back into the merchants court. All the while his heart racing at the thought of what he could do with 10,000 gold.
5
((Natural 20 roll for either Deception (+10) or Persuasion (+5). Whichever you see fit for his haggling effort))