Ghosts of Saltmarsh (cbaer8) - Campaign Thread

The enveloping darkness and swirling snow completely veils the party as they made their way down the main cobblestone thoroughfare to the docks. Even their tracks are filled as quickly as they are made. Porters and merchants and locals traveling on the road are too focused on getting to their destination to pay the slightest attention to the unusual party making their way down the hill. 

They find themselves on a broad, empty wharf, standing in some six inches of snow facing cold, gusting winds full of dark flakes. The fishing and trading fleets and military vessels are tied up and idle, their crews sheltering belowdecks or in the city. There is no evidence of the chaos that took place earlier here today. It feels exposed and a little dangerous to be out here in the middle of a blizzard out over the black bay. Visibility is near zero.

"So I may have just given away some platinum, but I'd rather be sure," Boko says. "Is there anything we should do before speaking frankly?"

Kei 

After trudging through the blasting wind and the growing cover of snow he stops at the end of the wharf. He can barely see the rest of the group as he speaks. "Gather around and lets see what this vision of mine actually does." He breathes slowly, allowing his mind to drift back to what he believes to be the memory of an ancestor long since dead. He grabs his deck of ancient cards and begins to shuffle them without conscious effort. A glowing dome begins to form over the group. When the done has finished growing he opens his eyes to see what he's created. "We'll I'll be.... This will do nicely." He turns to his newly sheltered friends "You'll find no magic magic can pass through the walls. We should be safe here for some time."

The party finds themselves enclosed in a transparent dome on the snowy wharf. It is warm inside, and dry, and quiet. Comfortable. A faint glow illuminates the interior, although the mysterious, dim light does not extend beyond the invisible walls of Kei's arcane structure.

"This is pleasant. And useful. Thank you," Boko says, and then peers down through the slats of the boards of the wharf to the water below. "Does it extend around to the bottom as well? Regardless, do we have any other leads apart from the door this entity directed me to knock on?"

Dwal nods his head approvingly.

"Alright then" the dwarf starts. "What news needs to be shared ?" he asks. 

Gerrard:

"So this blocks magic?  Very nice, Master Kei.  Let us hope it is enough," begins Gerrard.  The young noble brings everyone up to speed about the conversation with Los in the Procan temple (feel free to read up on it in previous posts), then begins to lay out what they know.

"The biggest threat to the region at large seems to be these Sahuagin.  They have stolen the LIzardfolk's home, attacked people above and below the water, and we have a coalition gathered to end their threat," says Gerrard.  "Then there are the followers of Xolor--that mage and the gnolls who attacked Saltmarsh, the cultists on Abbey isle, and these Kuo-Toa here in Seaton," he continues.  "Lastly, there are the mysterious deaths that may be related to a were-rat gang operating in the lower city," he finishes.

"We can only do so much, and we have promised to address the cultists at Abbey isle and rescue the old man who helped us.  We have also promised to participate in the war effort against the Sahuagin, both the scouting effort and the main attack.  I am, of course, interested in helping out those in my home city--especially if the events going on here are related to the overall Xolor or Sahuagin threat--but we can't do everything at once.  What do the rest of you think we should do first?" Gerrard asks.

Dwal crosses his arms with one hand stroking his beard.

"Well," the dwarf starts. "That's a long laundry list of things ta do an' ya feel we have only limited time. If'n war is comin' then tha' old man stranded on tha Isle will have ta be put on tha smaller forge. An' we're here in Seaton, not at tha Marsh so, I say we take what's in front of us an' can sort out that mess later. If'n tha council at tha Marsh get their panties in a bunch about it we can tell 'em that we was seein' if that two were connected. That's my counsel." 
Dwal pauses then continues.
"I got a feelin' that all this is intertwined with Iuz an' his minions or at least his hand is in it, which means Aubreck may be in tha middle of it too, bystander or playin' a part. An' there ain't no telling what plans Iuz' got up his sleeve while all this is goin' on."

Kei 

Feeling quite smug that this new magic he'd been shown had provided the group with a warm dry place of privacy Kei listens to the information given by Gerrard. Dwal's insistence on dealing with what's in front of them made sense, but the thought of what treasure and artifacts may lie on Abbey Isle was a huge temptation for the greedy bard. "Sorry Fierceface, but I have to disagree. We promised that old coot that we would seek out the inhabitants of the island and regain his statue. Don't forget that if it wasn't for him we most likely wouldn't be here. And if all this is interconnected, be it by this Xolor or the Sahaugin or them Princes, then no matter which way we turn the threat will remain." He pauses to give Dwal time to recall their harrowing time at sea before continuing "I say we start at the start. I thought your logical head would think the same."

It continues to be comfortably warm and dry, even as the snow continues its frenzied swirl outside the dome, in the blackness of the bay.

Then Dwal has a start. Distractedly staring outside with his darkvision, he spots something.  Dwal:

But whatever he saw, there is nothing out there but snowflakes, now. All wharf activity has ceased in the storm, as the locals have all taken shelter.

Dwal settles his mind after the shock and starts thinking through all the possible explanations for this apparition. 
History: 8
Arcana: 14
Religion: 18
Dwal has his suspicions but is trying to confirm them. 

Gerrard:

Unaware of Dwal’s revelations, whatever they may be, Gerrard continues the discussion.  “What of you, Mistress Boko?  What is your counsel?  Mistress Lilyn, you have been quiet of late—please share your thoughts with us on the matter as well,” says Gerrard, trying to get everyone’s opinions and missing Peri again when he looks around at his companions.

Dwal finds the spectacle perplexing - nothing in his knowledge of history nor religion sheds any light on this sight. It did look physical - neither a ghost nor an extra-planar visitation, but rather like some sort of damaged being he didn't recognize, who was peeking halfway through some kind of arcane portal.

Boko quirks a smile at “mistress” but speaks to the question. 

“It seems you already had a lot on your plate before I ran up to you asking for help. If you have more pressing things than ferreting out information about this Xolor or its minions hiding in this town and polluting the bay, then I have a proposal. I will help you with your problems and then you will help me with mine. If I were alone, I would be scouting this door, trying to learn what is really happening, and then trying to confront it. I do not know I would succeed with my current assets, right now. I need to learn more first, and it can wait — as long as this Xolor does not kill me outright for disobeying. Assuming it can. So it seems I should help you. You have seen some of my capabilities, so you know what I can bring to the table. I do not know Iuz or of this abbey or many of the other things you mentioned, Gerrard. I don’t defer to others often, but in this case it is the wiser choice.

“What is the most important, most attainable thing to do that would then help inform future challenges. One of my teachers showed me that this is a wise way to approach indecision.”

The tide is rising, and storm swells occasionally send spray shooting up through the gaps in the wharf. But the magical dome holds, even from below. Leaving it will not be fun, but it will be simple enough to leave the dome and exit the wharf safely, provided they don't hang around long outside Kei's protective shield. (No rolls needed.) The snow continues to fall heavily. Visibility is near zero. Dwal's strange sighting does not reappear.

Lilyn gives a small shrug. "Like Boko said, I'm unfamiliar with most of the issues you discuss. You seem to be good people, and I'll trust your judgement of what needs to be done. I will say I agree that location isn't the best way to determine our course of action. I would rather deal with the most pressing issue first, even if it is further away."

Gerrard:

"Personally, I would have a hard time moving on without at least checking out what is behind that door where Boko was abducted, but I defer to you, Brother Fiercehammer, as the wisest among us.  Perhaps we could check it out tonight, then leave for Abbey Isle in the morning?  Or should we stay an extra day and get silvered weapons to take on the wererats?" suggests the young noble.

He adds, "One thing is for sure, though.  There are mysterious forces about that want to know what we are up to.  The ancient deep ones and whoever or whatever you saw just now, Brother Fiercehammer, plus the forces of Iuz, I am sure."  Looking to everyone, he concludes, "We should be careful what we speak of such matters without the protection of Master Kei's magic."

Kei 

With a sigh Kei concedes to the apparent group decision "Seems I've been out voted again. Well fearless leader, do your thing." With an air of defeat he mumbles mostly to no-one in particular "I'll be the first to say 'I told you so' if things don't go to plan, that's for sure."

Gerrard:

”Well, if you insist,” replies Gerrard to Kei, showing enough grace to redden slightly at being labeled the de facto leader, “but only until Master Peri returns.”

”Boko, can you lead us to the mysterious door?” asks Gerrard, adding, “We ahould discuss our approach before we leave Master Kei’s protective ward.”

"I think it would be good to go to the door, and then figure out what the building is. Watch it for a bit. See what comes in and out. What it's attached to, what it's standing near. What else we can see. I can shift into something small perhaps. We might learn something. Maybe see an opportunity. It's a few doors down the alley behind that bar I mentioned," Boko says, explaining further where it is. "I don't even know what symbol it is. Could be anything. Could be nothing. Could all be lies. I will go check it if you want to go."