Ghosts of Saltmarsh (cbaer8) - Campaign Thread

Gerrard makes some quick arrangements with Pickles. She can get your skiff fully outfitted, probably as early as tomorrow, maybe even today. She'll send word to the Seaton Hotel as to the details.

Peri observes Aubreck's behavior. The old merchant is superficially upbeat and carefree, but you can sense a businesslike urgency to his actions.

While not without many similarities to Saltmarsh, the city has a different feel from that decaying old town. Seaton is bigger, and much better maintained, but the presence of city guard and soldiers is much more noticeable. There are more beggars and fewer peddlers. The population is more human-dominated, with fewer other races visible - just a handful of dwarves and halflings. There is more masonry, and less wood and hatch. It smells better. The people seem, on average, healthier; but the class divide and the sense of oppression is tangible.

Aubreck suddenly turns and leads you down a side street. He spots a busy tavern and waves you inside. It seems to be dominated by a loud group of off-duty soldiers. "This will do!"

Dwal

Keeping up with the group Dwal will take the time to make mental notes of his surroundings.

"How long did ya say it would take ya ta complete yer business?" Dwal asks. 

Dwal will follow the old merchant in and take a seat with the rest of the party. 

Kei 

The bard follows along quietly, taking in the sights of Seaton. He looks for establishments where he might spend his new fortune. Specifically he keeps an eye for a tailor and a shop that might sell magical wares.

As Aubrek proclaims they've reached their destination he checks the name on the hotel. His eyes then settle on the guards that seem to be enjoying themselves, perhaps a little too much. Damn. I was hoping to avoid any authorities. 

With a little less enthusiasm, he follows the undead merchant into the bar.

"Could take a couple of days, could take a week. Depends on who I get. It can get complicated," answers Aubreck. "I'll know more tomorrow."

Dwal keeps an eye out. (Feel free to roll a perception check.)

Kei spots a few tailors but no obvious dealers in the arcane. He also notes that the Seaton Hotel is nowhere to be seen. This is a tavern ("The Hatchet," according to the sign out front). 

Aubreck slips a gold to the host, and your party is seated at a private corner table, although you are surrounded by the hubbub of the noisy clientele of the busy bar. Your arrival goes unnoticed by most. Aubreck orders a round of ale.

Peri:

While the others seem content to leave the box behind, Peri won't let it go so easily. He confers with Pickles briefly to get her recommendation of a porter, then hires one to transport the crate of "fruit" to the Seaton Hotel and inform the proprietor that Lord Feldren would be along to claim it shortly. He gives Pickles 5 gold pieces for depriving her of a fresh fruit salad, then hurries to catch up to the rest of the party. Be interestin' to see the old goat's face when the box beats us to the hotel. If I'm foulin' some shady business, good! Otherwise I just bought the most expensive fruit in all of Seaton!

Gerrard:

Happily accepting Pickles’ offer for the skiff, Gerrard nods in approval as Peri takes charge of the *fruit* in the box.

Later as they duck into the bar, he starts looking a bit uncomfortable with this unscheduled stop on the way to the hotel. Gerrard follows along gamely, though he does confer with Dwal, saying, “This seems a bit strange…I thought we were headed to the Seaton Hotel.”

Peri makes arrangements with Pickles, who hails a trustworthy porter to carry out your bidding. Peri then quickly catches up with the party.

Sitting down at the tavern, Aubreck apologizes warmly. "The hotel is just up the street you were on. Quite close. Your next stop! Excellent place. I'm afraid I have business to attend to next, and I won't be staying at your hotel, but we will meet back here for dinner tomorrow. How's that sound?"

"We do have a problem I need to talk to you all about, first," he continues, his voice a little lower, and his tone more sober. "In my giddy haste to send you on my job, I neglected to discuss the need for any secrecy with you. My own fault. Sure enough, word somehow got out, and rumors were tittering through the lowest levels of Saltmarsh scummery in no time. The fact that you were attacked on your way home is, perhaps, my own fault. And I will have to deal with the consequences."

"However, our most recent trip was done with both haste and secrecy. I am very concerned by the fact that we were once again ambushed. That mage knew where we were and what to look for. I truly don't believe any of you would have told anyone about our plans this morning, but I have to ask: Did any of you divulge - to anyone - information about the box or our travel plans today?"

He looks at you stone seriously, and waits. Before you can answer, a platter of ales and crackers arrive, and the jolly merchant personality returns for the thirty seconds the server is with you. Then, the server is gone again. 

Gerrard:

Gerrard says, “I spoke with Farbern and Commander Clay about an upcoming mission, but of our current endeavor I only said we would have business out of town.  Is it possible someone associated with Iuz could be magically tracking either us individually or the box itself?”

Dwal 

Dwal shakes his head. "I ain't said nothing to anyone about this." he says. "But, I feel that we had eyes on us on tha first day." 

Peri:

Peri frowns. "I told our housekeeper we wouldn't be there for dinner tonight, but said nothing of the box or going to sea, or when we'd return. And that was only just before we left, as I was pickin' up the skiff."

"But what's goin' on here is more than someone tippin' off a pirate. I'll admit I wasn't too discrete when we were gettin' ready to find the Emperor, and I've been assumin' that greasy Wavechaser sent word to the pirates. But think on it: we didn't know more'n a general direction we were headed. No way any of us could've given away information we didn't have. So with what any Saltmarsh rat coulda given 'em, the best plan for a pirate woulda been to wait near Saltmarsh for us to come back.

"Only we weren't 'attacked on our way home', as you said. We were barely back aboard the Soul of Winter before they pounced on us! Hard to believe they managed to follow us for days without bein' spotted. 

"And then today, those demons really wanted that box! Even after the wizard died they stayed focused on the box. We need some answers, and we need 'em now! What in the Nine Hells was in that box, and how are you alive again?!?"

By the end of his tirade Peri realizes his voice has risen well above "quiet conversation" level.

"Fruit. Fruit's in the box. Some fine dried fruit I imported a few weeks ago for resale. The papers that were recently in that box were removed last night, and are currently safe. So whomever that mage was, and those demons were, they were fixated on that box, believing that the original contents were still there. He didn't know I removed the valuables."

"As to my little performance there, I apologize for leaving you for a bit. A little trinket I picked up." He taps a necklace under his shirt. "I figured I was more helpful dead than alive. Besides," he rubs his throat again, "those missiles nearly did in me in for real."

"Anyway, I owe you your pay, and a bit extra as well, now. I promise payment in full very soon. No longer than a week, and hopefully sooner. Meet me here for dinner here tomorrow night, and I'll give you an update. Forgive me if I don't share any more details. I ask you not to follow me or look for me in the meantime, for security's sake."

Gerrard:

Insight on Aubrek:  18

”Other than initially being remiss about the need for secrecy in the recovery mission, you have dealt with us fairly, Master Aubrek.  I am still worried about the minions of Iuz and the pirates in their employ, but there is little I know to do other than continue about our business and learn what we can about them as we go,” responds Gerrard, watching Aubrek carefully for any hint of falseness or treachery.

”As far as I am concerned, as long as you do right by us and the families of those lost on the Soul of Winter, I am satisfied, though others in my group may want a more thorough accounting,” he adds, glancing towards Peri.

As they eat, Gerrard calls over a server and asks for a messenger to be provided, writing a few sentences on stationary and sealing it with his signet ring.  “Please deliver this to the Duke’s residence, young man,” he says once the messenger arrives, handing him a single gold coin.

 ”Perhaps after we settle in at the Hotel we should go by the temple of Procan after all,” suggests Gerrard, “Unless we have the means to identify this unusual necklace the spellcaster was wearing ourselves.  We have been fortunate of late to survive several sea battles and may wish to give thanks, though not all who traveled with us were so lucky.”

Kei 

"Unusually, I told no-one either. Didn't even brag about the pay we were promised." Kei seems genuinely surprised at himself after thinking back. 

He nods as Peri recounts the series of events. He takes a swill of his ale. With hands below the table he twists his fingers in an arcane fashion and speaks to Peri privately.

 In response to Gerrard's suggestion of giving thanks to the gods he chuckles. "The gods haven't smiled on us for some time my noble friend. I say we take our destiny in our own hands. Is there a wizards tower here in Seaton?" He finishes his ale and beckons a server. "Something sweeter if you have it."

Peri:

Peri makes eye contact with Kei and gives the faintest of nods, then settles to pick sullenly at his food. Notably, his beer goes untouched.

Dwal

Dwal speaks up. 
"Tha Gods provided tha healing powers I use. Tha same healin' powers used ta heal you on occasion so don't scoff at tha Gods and their interests," he says to Kei. 

"As fer you an' yer business," he turns his attention to Aubreck. "It seems ta me that ya have drawn interest from someone long before we came along. Whether tha lads said something or not, ya have done enough ta bring yerself and yer endeavors ta tha' attention of someone with some power, resources an' intent." Dwal pauses.
"Tha bottom of tha ocean has collected enough evidence of that." 

Gerrard senses a little distrust, but not dishonesty, from the old merchant. He also successfully sends a message off with the help of their server, who delivers a fruit drink to Kei.

"When I have a moment and the right resources I will look into this Iuz business," responds Aubreck. "And as to the Soul of Winter, I promise I will take care of the dwarves. The best recommendations I have for you is to stay put, and stay safe. You'll soon have enough of your own resources to buy yourself a little added protection."

He nods at Dwal. "I plan to keep a rather low profile, myself, for the next few days at least. I recommend you do the same."

With that, Aubreck stands. "We'll meet you here at sunset tomorrow? They have a fine roast at dinner, I recall. Enjoy your meal. When you're ready, head back to the main road we were on, and head to the top of the hill, on your right. Seaton Hotel. Hard to miss. I apologize for not escorting you all the way there." He dusts himself off and prepares to leave.

Gerrard:

Saying goodbye to Aubrek, Gerrard says, “I have chosen to trust you this far, and you speak of honoring both your pledge to us and the lives of those lost at sea.  I wish you success at your business dealings, Master Aubrek.  Until tomorrow, then.”

To Kei, he says, “I do not know of any mage’s towers in or near Seaton, Master Kei, and the official position of the ruling class is that magical trinkets are a lazy man’s substitute for hard work and determination.”  With a wry smile and a glance towards several of his own items, Gerrard continues, “However, it is said the the priests of Procan will discreetly trade in such matters, though I doubt my presence would be helpful in that regard.”

Gerrard waits until the others have had their fill and looks ready to head towards the Seaton Hotel to settle in, though he is not averse afterwards to other activities tonight if the others are so inclined.

Dwal

Dwal says little further and will leave when the party is ready.

Aubreck pays the server and slips out through the kitchen.

Gerrard notices that he's beginning to attract a little attention - he's been recognized. A few unsubtle glances and unheard comments. But he recognizes this crowd - mostly off-duty gurds and soldiers - as one likely to be supportive of the Feldren family.

Gerrard:

”It appears low-profile is not going to work for me, gentlemen,” says Gerrard ruefully,.  “Perhaps the rest of you should head out quietly and I will hire a carriage to take me on a more circuitous route.”

If the plan is accepted, Gerrard will take his leave and hire a carriage to take him off in the direction of the Duke’s residence, then hop out somewhere unobtrusive near the Seaton Hotel and join his fellows there.  As much as he would rather buy drinks for the guards and regale them with tales of his adventures, he knows that would be the *opposite* of a low profile.