Ghosts of Saltmarsh (cbaer8) - Campaign Thread

The two big men take a healthy step backward, then escort both of you through the crowd to a side entrance into the building. You find yourself in a dormitory of sorts - a large room segmented with alcoves filled with ancient cots. An old half-orc man peers up from one at you, his face covered with painful-looking boils, the eruptions of which have heavily stained his threadbare sheets.

An old man with an ornate eyepatch, sitting at a cluttered desk, addresses you. "What's your complaint?" he asks.

Kei 

The effectiveness of the ruse caught even Kei off guard. They were ushered into some sort of triage room or perhaps a waiting to die room. The man with the eye patch seemed to want an answer so Kei intended to oblige. "Don't just sit there man, can't you see this man needs more than just the healing of mortal men. Which way to the priests? Hes been touched by a curse." He frantically waves his arms around and tends to Peri's imaginary wounds, feverishly patting the sweat from his brow. "Why haven't you moved yet?"

Deception 21

The one-eyed old man stands up and walks around the desk toward you, carrying a small wooden tub full of liquid.

"I am the priest. Does the sea touch you? Do you submit to Procan?"

He reaches into the tub and then flicks water at Peri. It smells of seaweed and old socks. The impossible sound of an ocean tempest fills the room for a moment.

The old man squints his one eye at Peri and looks him over. Medicine: 8

He looks Kei in the eye and snorts.

"Five silver for a bed and stew. Fifteen gold to bind any wounds. Fifty gold to cure your ailment."

Kei 

"Perhaps, for a larger fee of course, there might be a range of items blessed by the gods to help combat the evil which has cursed my friend here. Perhaps some uncommon relics from the yesteryear. I fear that combating the origin of this poor sods ailment is the only true way to help him." Kei winks at the one eyed man.

Persuasion 18

"The temple don't sell magic. We're just a poor house of prayer an' healing. Perhaps Los can help guide you? I can see if he's free t' talk. Perhaps you'd like to leave a small donation, first? Poor Ogler over there with th' pox, he needs medicine we can't afford. And Peldrin. I don't even want t' talk about Peldrin's woes..." He gestures to a lump in a cot on the far side of the room. "A donation to Procan's servants would be of greatly kind service..." 

Kei 

He recognises that this priest is merely helping the suffering and knows nothing about selling magic items. Perhaps this Los person is whom Gerrard had met with. Kei reaches into his coin purse and retrieves five platinum pieces. He hands them to the priest. "You may be right. This Los, I would welcome a meeting. But take this regardless. Put it to good use." He shifts uncomfortably at the thought of what diseases are floating around the room.

The old man brightens up at the sight of the coins. "O' course, sir!" He immediately stands and beckons you to follow him through a rear exit, through an unheated tunnel-like corridor, and into a parlor of sorts with a large pool of still water sits at the center of the room, and heavy, stone chairs are positioned around it, together with religious trappings and artifacts.

He gestures to get the attention of a middle-aged man bidding goodbye to a departing noble whom you suddenly realize is Gerrard. (Dwal is nowhere to be seen.)

The man turns to Kei and Peri. "Yes?"

Gerrard:

”Ah yes, here they are now.  Brother Los, may I present Master Fenwader and Master Kei,” says the young noble with a smile.

Kei 

At Gerrard's beckons he walks over to meet this Los. "Finally. I mean, thanks be to you Brother. I hope my friend here has not had to visit confession already" he winks at Gerrard. "I have heard that sometimes you come across magical relics to help adventurers in their travels. I was wondering if we might be able to come to a deal?"

"Hello! What can I help you with?" responds Los, eyeing the newcomers, maintaining a tight smile. He continues with his disclaimer that the temple does not sell magical items, but they can help broker a deal to friends of Procan who will act in his service.

(You may attempt to purchase - ask first - any spell scroll up to 3rd level. Likewise, you may attempt to purchase anything from the DMG, Tasha, or Xanathar that's common (typically 75gp) or uncommon (typically 300gp) that's a scroll, potion, "dust", "oil", or armor/shield. Availability not guaranteed, however. For other - or more powerful items - you may ask. They seem to have access to a smattering of other items, which they may list if you ask.)

Kei 

He casts his mind across the myriad of magic items he's ever wanted but his recent battles, and failures, keep coming to mind. He thinks for a further moment then speaks to Los. "Brother Los, I have heard of an amulet that would help greatly in our fight against evil. Oh, and perhaps something to help with the fact I can't breathe underwater, you know since we seem to be spending a lot of time on sinking ships". He rubs his hands together in anticipation.

Los nods and agrees to provide a Periapt of Wound Closure and a Cap of Water Breathing for a donation of 600 gold to the temple. "We're happy to help fellow agents of Procan."

Gerrard:

”What of the Vivace ship wreckage—has it been investigated for clues, possibly salvageable personal effects, etc?  Since it is near the Dwarven mine, Brother Dwal may want to stop in and check on the dwarves,” asks Gerrard of Los, thinking aloud.

”What was left of our ship washed up three days later by the Dwarven mine, completely wrecked. Everybody left behind on it just slaughtered..."

"Yes, tragic, tragic," says Los, gravely. "Agents of the family combed the wreck and found naught but carnage. Sea devils and their allies, undersea demons. Witnesses say slimy, translucent, tentacled things that can kill with their minds. Terrible luck."

Gerrard:

”Ah, nothing we could do to help there, then,” responds Gerrard.  He adds, “But while we are here, perhaps we could investigate the murders in the lower city—have you heard of those unfortunates, with their bodies found partially chewed?”

"When the sea reaches its limit at the shore, so too does Procan’s power," Los says in a slightly singsong voice, perhaps quoting scripture, "He cares little for what happens beyond his waters." 

But then he adds, sympathetically, "That's been going on a long time. A lot of crime, some terrible people, foul things from the north, from the forest. Nothing new, unfortunately. There are forgotten things in the ocean, too, that can control the minds of men."

Los rings a bell and his rumpled, bald assistant Buster appears. After a quick conversation, Buster fetches the two items and returns to complete the transaction. The amulet is small and rather beautiful, but the cap is a big, ugly, leather thing that will look rather comical and unstylish when worn.

Does anyone have further questions for Los or temple business?

Gerrard:

For the first time, Gerrard starts thinking more deeply about the politics of Seaton.  "Why is there so much crime and death in the undercity when there is so much law and order in the light of day?  And it has gone on so long--there is no way the Duke is unaware.  And if this injustice has been left unaddressed or tacitly allowed, what other unsavory subcurrents are flowing through the city?"

"Thank you for your help, Brother Los," Gerrard says, though he seems distracted by deeper thoughts.  "Please contact me if there is anything I can do to help, especially if you hear some leads on the source of these murders."  Turning to Kei and Peri, he adds, "I will see you good sirs at lunch," and excuses himself, walking off towards the tavern, lost in his own thoughts.

Gerrard heads off quietly to the Hatchet for lunch. Dwal is still absent. Are Kei and Peri joining Gerrard?

Kei 

The bard screws his nose a just a little at the sight of the cap. Oh well, anyone who wants to have a look will probably drown doing so. He thanks Los and follows Gerrard a few steps behind while attaching his new charm to his necklace.