Ghosts of Saltmarsh (cbaer8) - Campaign Thread

Dwal will just nod as they go along. Getting to the hotel Dwal will take his rest and try and rise early to prepare for the short funeral. 

As morning breaks over snowy Seaton, the party trudges to the edge of the city, up and away from the torpid river. The gated eastern gate, leading to the long, dreary, and dangerous road to the Styes and beyond, is heavily staffed with wide-awake, well-armed guards (in marked contrast to the thinly-posted, usually elderly and half-drunk Saltmarsh gatemen.) They recognize and defer to Gerrard's presence, and immediately assemble a small squad to accompany you on your walk through dormant farmland and centuries of graveyards up into the rocky, desolate hills. 

Gerrard:

”Thank you, Captain,” says Gerrard as the guards provide their solemn procession with an escort.  He travels mostly in silence, leading the way to the area he suggested, but encouraging Dwal to find the perfect spot for Bjorn.

A group of three guards armed with heavy crossbows accompany your party up the snowy hillside. Once you're past the city graveyards and dormant vegetable fields, it's a bit of a slippery scrabble through snow-covered boulders and wild scrub before you get to the top of a small summit with a great view of the river, sea, and city. There is evidence of some very old ruins up here - a couple of heavily eroded masonry blocks - perhaps an ancient watchtower or outpost centuries ago. But this seems as good a place as any to say goodbye to Bjorn.

Gerrard:

Pausing and taking a deep breath, Gerrard says, “Bjorn was a faithful companion to you, Brother Fiercehammer, taken from us too soon.  I apologize again that I wasn’t fast enough to heal him…We lost many good souls that day.  Shall we proceed?”

Dwal gets up in the morning, cleans up, and puts on his best garb. He will follow along to the spot.
"This looks like a good place." he remarks.
With care he will take out the body of Bjorn, still wrapped in Dwal's cloak. Dwal will then find a good spot and pull out his loadstone and cast Move Earth and make a nice hole for the body. Dwal will then use Mage Hand to lower the body into the ground. 
Dwal lowers his head.
"It's said" he begins. "that my kin mingled their blood with dragons long ago. I'd say its a fact as I have some of that blood runnin' in my veins. It became clear ta me when we found Bjorn. I felt a connection ta the little dragon an' we shard somthin' that is rare in this world, even in the world of magic. He was brave an' a true companion and I..." Dwal starts to tear up. "I will miss 'im." 
Dwal takes a moment to compose himself then continues.
"Dragons are creatures of magic so their energy doesn't die, it goes back ta tha source ta be born again. Bjorn, safe journey ta the source an' I'll see ya again lad."

With that said, Dwal will cast Minor Illusion to create a short musical song played on bagpipes. Dwal will then use Mold Earth to move the earth back to the hole, covering Dwal. 
He will place his hand on the grave and mutter a few short words in draconic, wipe his eyes and turn to those that are with him. "Alright lads, it's done." 

Gerrard:

Nodding to Dwal but keeping his silence, Gerrard heads back to the town in a contemplative mood.  He offers the guards a gold each to drink to Bjorn's health tonight in thanks for their escort when they reach the gate.  Of the guard captain at the gate, he asks, "Good captain, I have heard that there are bodies turning up in the city's underbelly, killed in...unnatural...ways.  Are you aware of anyone looking into into these crimes?  If so, do you know who might be in charge of the investigation?"

Persuasion if needed:  6

OOC:  Great....

(We'll give Gerrard advantage, thanks to the gold: Persuasion: 15 )

 The guard gives an honest report, not that it is especially helpful. She agrees that the number of murders and violent crimes in Seaton has gone up in recent years, but in many of the old neighborhoods, their orders are to leave justice to the locals. She describes a number of gruesome deaths with a little too much gory detail, but dismisses them to uncivilized street thugs, savage sailors, and non-human foreigners from the forest. "Probably deserved," she concludes. 

Kei 

The bard, quite sombre, plays a mournful tune as Dwal lays his friend to rest. He sings, in Elvish, of fallen friends and the glory they find in the next life. At the completion of his tribute, he remains silent while Dwal completes his ritual.

He listens with morbid fascination to the guards gruesome report, nodding at the details that match that which he saw in person. He looks at Gerrard questioningly "So I guess we have our time here accounted for now."

Gerrard:

”Indeed, let us go back into the city proper and consider our next steps,” responds Gerrard.  As they walk back in and have a bit of separation from listening ears, Gerrard suggests, “It seems I have no time to visit Esmerelda at her country estate, but I will stop by the Vivace townhouse here and leave a message.  Perhaps those of you with Temple of Procan business (magic items) can proceed there and ask further about the murders, then I will meet you for lunch afterwards?”

Dwal follows along with little to say, though he is listening to all Gerrard is saying.

"Does Seaton have a dwarven community here lad?" he asks. 

The whole area has Dwarven roots - indeed, Seaton, like Saltmarsh, may have once been a Dwarven settlement hundreds or thousands of years ago. But there has not been a notable Dwarvish population here in generations, other than the handful of migrant families of Clan Shellgrim, now somewhat diminished, which set anchor in Seaton regularly and typically provide a tiny scattering of residents in Seaton at any one time. In recent years, dwarves from the north have established the mine between Saltmarsh and Seaton with deep royal backing (including much support from the Feldrens) but mostly viewed with skepticism or scorn by the old families. These dwarves tend to be based at their mine or at their main office in Saltmarsh, although Seaton is a major distribution and transportation center for their ore, and are often found at Seaton's wharves.

After a moving, if chilly, ceremony, the party has trudged back to the city through the thin snow with their escort.

It is late morning. Gerrard plans to split off to check in on his love interest. Others were interested in shopping for magic items at the temple? (Who's going?) What else did you have planned today? (Was Kei hinting that he had some detective work in mind?)

Gerrard:

Relating what he knows about the Dwarven history of the region to Dwal, Gerrard says after a deep breath, “Wish me luck, gentlemen.  I will meet you at the Hatchet for lunch or send word if I will be otherwise occupied.”

With a hopeful smile, Gerrard heads out into the city to make his way to the Vivace estate.

"Luck Lad," Dwal tells the young noble.

Once Gerrard is out of earshot, but still in insight, Dwal will tell the others.
"I got a feelin' he's gonna get himself inta a mess. His mum didn't seem too keen on lettin' him go about doin' what he wants and I fer one believe she ain't gonna let it go neither."
With that, Dwal will set out, keeping his distance by Gerrard in sight, and watching to see if he spots anyone following the young lord. 

Perception: 5
Investigation (if needed to spot a tail): 10

Stealth (if needed): 21

Is Gerrard hailing a carriage or hackney coach, or is he walking? It's on the other side of the dense city - maybe a 20-30 minute walk down the main roads. The Vivace estate is on the northwest side, along the river bank, in an old neighborhood. Gerrard knows these streets intimately, so he also knows to stick to the main streets, especially in the old sections of town. On the main roads, he is at risk of being spotted and accosted by his family and their agents; on the side roads in the old neighborhoods, he is in danger of street crime or running into one of the Feldren's quiet enemies.

Kei is headed to the Temple in the tailors' market, following Dwal and Gerrard's description of the place. (Is Peri joining him?)

Gerrard:

Heading off happily into the city streets, Gerrard walks along the main road for a bit, reacquainting himself with the city and enjoying some vigorous walking on the cold day.  Everything looks so much cleaner with a fresh layer of snow, and he hums himself a little tune as he walks.

Soon enough he spies a carriage and decides that perhaps keeping a lower profile in enclosed transport would be wiser given his mother’s latest diatribe.  Approaching the carriage, he arranges for transport to his destination—assuming it is not already otherwise engaged.

Perception:  18

Kei 

Gleaning some basic directions from Gerrard before he heads off in search of love, Kei heads towards the cities Temple of Procan. His pace one of intent. He's never had so much coin at his belt so purchasing a magic relic is still a thing of novelty for him. "I am hoping they have access to more of these" he caresses his now very familiar cittern. "

With Gerrard and Dwal off on their own adventures (PMs sent to both), Kei and Peri make their way toward the temple. 

Gerrard and Dwal had directed them to a nondescript building just a few blocks away, fronted by tailor shops. There are no signs or symbols designating it, and it's not even clear where the main entrance is. Tailor shops and underwear stalls spill out in all directions. 

Kei and Peri are intercepted by a pair of burly men in merchant's clothing. "Looking for new clothing? Or mending old?" asks one gruffly, as he stands in your path.

(Kei and/or Peri are welcome to roll Persuasion - or perhaps Intimidation or Deception? - to pass them. But you'll still need to describe your angle or pitch!)

Kei 

Not intimidated by the ruffians, Kei simply says "Does it look like my friend here needs new clothes? No. What he needs is a doctor or some other miracle. You see we've just come back from a journey down the coast and it seems as though we've been infected with some sort of groin rot. Half the party was infected" he whispers the next bit "and lets say, the lads won't be enjoying quality time with lady friends anytime soon." He points towards his nether regions just to clarify for the meatheads. "I'd be careful, it seems to be fairly contagious. Is there somewhere around we could perhaps say a quick prayer for my friends....little friend?"

Deception 27