Ghosts of Saltmarsh (cbaer8) - Campaign Thread

Qivys turns and begins to retrace their step toward the river mouth again, followed by Gerrard, Boko, and an ever-quiet Oceanus. They once again follow the path along the marsh, well hidden from aquatic eyes by the top of the bluffs, parallel to the shore. Occasionally peeking over the crest of the bluffs, they see the distant black silhouette of the fortress against the nearly black overcast pre-twilight sky. All seems as quiet and desolate as ever, at least above the waves.

(What are Peri's and Kei's plans?)

Peri:

Peri snorts derisively at Qivys's little come-to-Moridin speech. "We haven't been paid to do anythin' at all!  We were offered the possibility of a reward, IF the take-over succeeds. 'Ta MY mind'  we've done plenty to get maybe possibly paid. And if not, so be it."

He follows along behind Boko and Gerrard, not bothering to try to argue with the stubborn dwarf. As if there's another kinda dwarf... "Fine, we can go get the ones we rescued, but then I'm headin' back to Saltmarsh. It was crazy enough sneakin' in once, but we did it and got what little information there was to be had. I'm not goin' back in just on the off-chance of rescuin' a skipper too dumb to stay clear of an enemy fortress. The war council even told us not to be heroes -- 'avoid unnecessary fights' I believe they said." As they trudge through the swamp he pulls first Gerrard, then Boko, aside for some quiet arm-twisting.

To Gerrard, "Look, we've done what we can. It was a crazy mission to begin with, and them saddlin' us with that idiot Butter and a captain who didn't know enough to stay safe... Well, makes me wonder if we were supposed to succeed at all. Maybe we were supposed to get ourselves caught and serve as some kinda diversion, I don't know. But we did what they asked, and got some actually useful information, if not a head count and a floorplan of the place. If we go back in, best case scenario we all get killed and the war council doesn't get our information; worst case we get captured, tortured, spill what little we know, and then they kill us. So I reckon goin' back to town is not only what I want to do, but it's the responsible choice too. But it's your call, nobleman: finish your mission and probably get griped at for not doin' more, or forget duty and chase glory?"

To Boko: "That dwarf is crazy. Did I tell you last we saw him he was chasin' a parrot down the street, naked? Now he's got some idea in his head about takin' on a whole fortress, and no way we're walkin' outta there alive. Well I'm not goin'. I see you're all set to follow him, so if you give me directions to your mentor's place I'll let 'em know you went down swingin'. Probably. Unless they manage to take you prisoner, that is. We heard what that sounds like... But I won't worry 'em with that; just tell 'em you went out a hero."

Gerrard:

Listening intently to the others as they walk, Gerrard says, “Please, Mistress Boko, return and tell us what our rescued friends have seen before we proceed further.  I would know if we have any chance of saving our friend before we commit ourselves irrevocably to a rescue mission—or a long and quiet trip home.”

Kei 

For a split second Kei actually thought he had a chance at returning to Saltmarsh - then Peri trots off after Gerrard and Boko. "Urrggh" he mithers. 

Traipsing behind he eavesdrops on Peri's arguments. With the perfect timing of a snivelling advisor he echoes Peri's words. "Yes, responsible.  Hard decision to sacrifice one for the greater good of the many. A mark of the great leaders." His words not directed at anyone but said loud enough to carry to Gerrards ears.

Persuasion 14 if necessary 

Qivys marches along the best he can, aware of the decent within the group but he remains quiet, his main focus is the mission at hand.  Once the party reaches the point they must enter the water Qivys will motion for Oceanus to come forward. 

Qivys gives the sea elf a wink then establish a Telepathic with him.

Boko’s only reply is to ask if he ever caught the parrot.

She offers to go in to help look for the two escaped prisoners. She keeps to her current form for now because she wants to be able to talk when she comes back, relying on her swimming speed and water breathing.

Perception: 28

The party soon arrives at the east side of the river mouth once again, at the spot where they had been greeted yesterday afternoon by Bokocrab and took a rest. Unless Boko has unfinished business, Oceanus and Boko soon slip into the black, foul-smelling water at the river mouth. The two cross the dark, slow-moving waters and approach the causeway to the fortress at the headland on the other bank.

Boko's sharp senses (combined with Oceanus' darkvision) soon pick up the hiding place of Borgas, Kysh, and the sea lion in the shallows under the causeway. They gesture for you to join them quietly in their hiding spot.

Boko goes right to Borgas and Kysh.

Kysh immediately begins whispering to Boko in an anxious frenzy. "Raiding parties. Two big ones. One just came by ten minutes ago - nearly spotted us. They came and went from the large entrance on the other side," he gestures vaguely. "Perhaps 15, 20 in each, and a school of sharks. They had spears, hammers, glaives. The sharks were armored in plates of shell and coral. Both parties left and then returned. The second one gave us a bit of a scare on the way back in – came back in through the shallows. We hid way up under the causeway. Fortunately, the sharks aren't very perceptive and we are quiet."

"I am glad to find you safe. It is good you were not spotted, and also good you were able to see this. Did they have anything or anyone with them?" Boko whispers back. "We are concerned for a human we know who sailed the boat that brought us here. His crewmember was killed a half mile that way, the boat was scuttled. He might have been taken. Has anyone used the causeway?"

Kei 

As the pair head towards the fortress Kei stands his ground. "Nope. I'm not walking straight into the house of danger. I still think we've learnt more than enough from this little mission." He shuffles toward Peri. "I can make it so no-one will see us if you want to make our way back home. Seems we're the only smart ones." He now holds his cittern once more and motions he is happy to play a magical melody if Peri gives him the nod.

Gerrard:

”Patience, I ask of you,” says Gerrard quietly as he hides, “Let us find out what our aquatic friends learn before we decide on our next course of action.”

Kysh responds to Boko, "No humans. Just sahuagin and sharks. Two parties left and returned. We watched under the causeway; we didn't watch above it."

Peri:

Peri gives a small shake of the head to Kei. "We can give 'em a few minutes to gather up our lost sheep. Then, maybe, we'll see who's willin' to go back with us. Any as want to go back in will be missed, but we'll save who we can."

Boko looks to Oceanus for any questions or input or suggestions for next steps with these two.

(Oceanus was able to give a sense of "all clear but be careful" and a safe set of directions for Qivys to follow to their meeting place in the shallows under the causeway.)

Oceanus begins to speak in Aquan to Borgas. Boko is able to follow most of it. He learns that both Kysh and Borgas are preparing to depart for their respective homelands under the sea to report to their people of the situation here, and to provide aid to the attacking force if possible.

The two recommend that you stay well clear of the southern gate - the sizable sahuagin forces would overwhelm your small party, they feel. And they fear that remaining in this location much longer is very risky. Both plan to depart soon to report (and recuperate) at their respective homes, and neither have any appetite for reentering the fortress, although both express a desire to join the planned larger assault later, perhaps with their kin.

Boko thanks the two for the information. "And I am glad you can be free. Safe swim to your people, and perhaps Oceanus' people can get you word on the details of the assault."

She nods at Oceanus and returns to the party, telling them everything they learned. "So we do not know if he was taken inside via the causeway. I would be willing to go in and look. There are a lot of sahuagin under the waves. Perhaps they will stay there. What do you say, heroes of Saltmarsh?"

(We looked at the door already, right, and found that it was too small to allow a small bug inside to scout? Or am I misremembering?)

Peri:

Peri shakes his head. "Maybe the heroes will follow you in, but I'm set for home. I'm not riskin' everything for a single man who might have been captured. We've gathered a decent amount of intelligence -- more than I thought we'd get." He begins ticking off points on his fingers. "We found a secret entrance. We freed a coupla prisoners, who might bring more allies to the fight. We know there's a lot of 'em in there, not just a few dozen, and some of 'em are casters. We know they send out big patrols underwater at night. We even found a stinkin' DRAGON  livin' nearby -- which I'm real interested in askin' the lizardfolk about. They had to know about it, right?"

Kei 

As Peri ticks off his mental list, Kei nods along. He has little to add as the halfling recounts all the discoveries they've made. He does, however, voice his agreement in Peri's desire to leave. "The Capt'n here makes very valid points. I think the reporting of what we've found sooner rather than later makes sense. Not just that, but if we manage to make it inside that thing and get caught....well, then there's no information to share. No advantage to be had." He creeps low to stand behind Peri in a sign of solidarity. "Capt'n my Capt'n" he salutes mockingly.