As Gulin speaks Zi begins to look uncomfortable, "I really think we should inform someone before the sun goes down tonight. A few fishers and children over the years have gone missing in Crabber's Cove at night. This may not be the safest place to rest, I'd really prefer to sleep in my room at the temple, and if something were to happen we are in pretty rough shape."
Angus listening responds, "Why don't you four head into town and get some help, I'll keep an eye on our bounty for you."
Ned looking around at the dilapidated surroundings and the army of crabs marching from the abandoned buildings into the surf also remarks, "I think I'll be heading into town for the night myself. There is a local merchant here I know that has work for me."
"For hundreds of years, Tritons battled the dangerous beasts of the oceans--Krakens, Leviathans, you name it. Now the creatures are so rare as to make our training and skills in battle superfluous in that regard--it makes sailing on trader's vessels rather boring in comparison. A dwarf's quest to find a lost royal family sounds like an adventure I would join, though I don't profess to be skilled in mountain traveling. At least for now, I'm short a ship and short a job. Perhaps we can join together to find the answers we seek in the future.
Zi, would there be an inn or room at the temple in town that we could rest at? Angus could watch the bounty for now until we find more information."
Caspia eyes the crabs dismissively. "I never liked crabs. Pests."
Zi's eyes are wide as Caspia talks, "Wow! Triton's are so cool! I have a small room, more like a cell, at the temple. Wellgar doesn't like to show favoritism to me over the other acolytes. I'm sure one or both of you could lay on the ground there, but it wouldn't be too comfortable. There are a pair of inns in the town, though I honestly haven't spent much time in either one of them. The Wicker Goat is up towards the city gate, it's owned by Lankus Kurrid who is respected throughout the community. The other tavern is the Snapping Line. It is down by the waterfront and more rowdy."
The map post on the first page is bugged and I can't edit it. I'll get you guys an updated map post somewhere on that first page. Also what do you guys want to do? I feel like we may be stuck in a conversation loop. Zi has suggested either (a) tossing it into the Azure Sea as an offering to Procan or (b) immediately informing an authority figure such as a guard or the harbor master. Out on the water Ned suggested (c) keeping the goods for yourselves.
Josh, what do you want to do with all this stuff? It just seems like a huge hassle to right now. Maybe we just get the useful magical stuff and dump the rest with the guards or in the sea?
I don't want to get stuck hauling around a bunch of crap every time we go somewhere.
Gulin contemplates a moment. "Zi, take your selection of the silks and a few casks, whatever you deem appropriate. I think a priestess's best judgement will garner us some overall favor with the Lord of the Seas. Moradin knows, a dwarf on a boat is a fellow looking for allies wherever he can. Sink like stones, we do, and that's before the armor."
"As for the rest, Angus can keep an eye on it for now, and hopefully only drink a full cask of rum before morning. Let us head into town and inform the council of our findings and what remains of the goods after Procan takes his share."
Gulin lets out a yawn. "And maybe get some coffee."
Steve, time check. If it is morning or midday, when the council or their representatives might be at work, we can go there first. We'll just be sleepy. If its late afternoon/evening, then inn. Oh, and I'm just referring to the bulk goods. The Bag o' Loot's goodies are our fair reward. Can spend some time resting trying to fix up the platemail for Caspia.
Reynnar finishes off his second ale, and attempts to sidle up to a nearby table unnoticed to eavesdrop on the conversation between the Manistrad and the soldier, hoping to overhear something that will give him an in. The talk of the Sea Princes interests him, either as potentially allies or marks...
"Aye, though don't tarry too long, I have a date with a comfortable bed and pillow that I will not push off any longer!" The monk gives an exaggerated yawn to accompany his words of bravado.
Zi points to the casks of brandy, "Roll one of those down to the water, and bring me three bolts of the silk. We really should have done this at the start of our journey, but it is never too late to appease a god."
Caspia and Gulin easily move the identified goods down to the water, handing them to the cleric. "Almighty Procan, master of the waves and bringer of storms, please take these offerings from your humble servants as a gift. Let a portion of the goods which traversed your realm be returned to your domain for the holy texts say that this is right and just." And with that Zi uses her longsword to puncture the cask of brandy, spilling it out into the ocean, then tosses the three bolts of silk far out into the water. Angus and Ned look on dumbstruck, "Hell if I knew you were just going to pour it in the Azure Sea I would have insisted on tasting the goods first!" You watch as Zi shoots Angus a stare that could kill, this is the first time you've seen the girl act without her usual air of frivolity.
Zi, then motions to Caspia, Gulin, and Ned, follow me and I'll lead you to the town council's chambers. You walk past the abandoned houses of Crabber's Cove. By now the sun is setting and the remaining denizens are skittering out into the sea. Entering the town of Saltmarsh you see that the docks are still busy during this hour. At some point as you are watching the fishing vessels unload you look back at the group and notice that Ned is no longer with you. He must finally have run off to meet his merchant friend.
You wind past more than half-dozen docks and twice as many buildings before Zi brings you to a large brick building. This structure has clearly been built from the sturdy stone of nearby cliffs. A wooden sign depicting a net filled with fish hangs above the double doors leading into the hall. A small tower rises from the building housing a horn at the top. In front of the building lies a weather-beaten platform and gallows. Zi opens the door to the building, leading you into a foyer area where a bespeckled clerk pushes paper. "How can I help you?" The clerk mutters, without looking up. As Zi opens her mouth and begins to speak, the clerk's eyes look up. "Ugh, you again, what is it this time?"
Zi repeats her story a few times, trying to get through to the clerk. "As I was saying, my friends and I stumbled onto something at the Haunted Mansion. We brought the goods back in a rowboat to prove it, they are down at Crabber's Cove. Well except for the ones I gave back to Procan." By now Zi has slowly become exasperated. The clerk tugs at a beardless chin thinking before ringing a bell. Two guards enter the room, "Go down to Crabber's Cove. The daughter of Wellgar here thinks they found something at the abandoned mansion. The guards leave.
The clerk puts his hand up silencing Zi, and turns to Gulin and Caspia, "I don't believe I recognize either one of you. What is your business here in town? And could one of you plainly explain what you think has happened? What were you doing up at the mansion and what exactly did you find?"
You confidently slither to a table across from Manistrad and by the fireplace, confident that your nonchalant movements have not been assigned any ill-intent. The guard and Manistrad continue their conversation, not paying any heed to the fact that you have moved noticeable closer.
You lean back as you drink, straining to hear the conversation. Unfortunately the roar from the patrons of the Wicker Goat makes evesdropping difficult and you are unable to make out the entire conversation. The snippets you do hear include the following excerpts:
"The Alchemist's Haunted Mansion"
"Emergency town council session tomorrow night"
"Crabber's Cove"
"Sailor near death"
"Smuggling ring"
You observe the female dwarf throughout the conversation, her composure remains rigid and unreadable, belaying no hint to the remaining patrons in the room of the conversation that is occurring. Eventually the guard leaves. Manistrad leans back in her chair and lets loose a loud sigh, ruffling her long hair with her hands. Looking up she notices you sitting at the table nearby, "Evening stranger, new to town?"
"Gulin of the Runehammer clan. I arrived not long ago from Keoland, sailing aboard the White Breaker along with some of the Copperlock lot. I was working on fixing some of the equipment up at the mine, and heard tale that the old alchemist could have the right formulas and equipment needed to help finish my job. I met with Caspia and Zi, here, who had aligned goals, which she can tell you about. What I did not expect was that the alchemist was now a member of the walking dead, and that the entire basement hid a smuggling operation headed by a human mage named Sanbalet."
Gulin pauses a moment, chuckling. "Well, I guess headed was a poor choice of words. In the melee, Sanbalet lost his, after he and his men attempted assault and battery upon us. Anyway, we removed the problem, both of the smuggling operation and the undead alchemist."
Reynnar pretends that he's startled for a moment, as if being jostled after being lost in thought. He moves from his table, pulling his chair up to her table. "Aye, just got into town a few hours ago. Name's Reynnar, pleased to meet you. Looks like you might be having a bit of a frustrating night? Anything you might need help with? I'm a bit of a man who can get things done, and I might be looking for some employment..."
While sitting at the table and engaging in conversation, he discreetly glances at the paperwork on the table.
Perception to see what's on the paperwork she's working on: 14
"Gulin speaks the truth. I am a navigator on a trading vessel and my vessel was shipwrecked. I was saved and, in payment, helped the healer find some rare herbs for his work. It led us to the house of ghosts where we found the smuggling operation. The town leaders should know about this. I am new to the surface world, but I assume that undead smugglers aren't common occurrences here. We have handled those in the house, but there may be others out there. We also rescued this man, Ned, from the house as well."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Late Moonday Evening, Goodmonth 9th, 591 CY
As Caspia finishes speaking, she looks back and notices that Ned is no longer with the group. He must have peeled off at some point as the party made it's way towards the Council's hall.
The clerk sits there and thinks for a minute. "Smuggling operation, undead, and mages you say? Quite a fanciful story. If this was just the daughter of Wellgar in here I would dismiss this story out of hand, but the two of you sound respectable enough. We should know soon enough what happened when the guards return. Until then I will need you to remain here."
You wait for the next ten to fifteen minutes. The is a rap at the door, which moments later is slowly opened. The two guards have returned. The two of them are trying to carefully carry Angus. They carefully set the monk down on a bench in the foyer. The back of Angus' shirt is stained with blood and an arrow is protruding from his shoulder-blade. After setting Angus down one of the guards rushes up to the clerk, and speaks in a voice that everyone can clearly hear. "We found this sailor face down in the dirt near an abandoned house in Crabber's Cove. His assailant fled as soon as we arrived. There is a rowboat and nearly a dozen barrels. They appear to be stamped with the markings of a local winery."
Why the guard was talking Zi rushed over to Angus' side, and begins to inspect the wound his in his back.
Zi Medicine Check: 6
The red-headed cleric looks visibly flustered and unsure what to do. The second guard, still standing over Angus speaks up, "He is still breathing but who knows for how long."
The clerk speaks up to the first guard standing by his desk, "Inform the council members, these adventures must have stumbled into a local smuggling operation. We will have a town council meeting tomorrow night." The first guard rushes out of the hall and off into the night.
The clerk looks back at Gulin and Caspia, "Obviously someone isn't happy with your deeds. How long were you at Crabber's Cove and did anyone see the three of you? Hopefully your compatriot saw his assailant. Do you two have a safe place to stay for the night?"
Manistrad leans forward in her chair, "Ah an adventurer then perhaps? Well met then! My name is Manistrad Copperlocks. I always have need of your type! Could always use another good sword protecting the silver shipments. The Sea Princes have been mighty active this season. But something a little more urgent may have come up. It sounds like a group of hapless individuals stumbled across a smuggling operation. One of them was attacked in Crabber's Cove and is either dead or dying in the council hall right now. There is a Council meeting tomorrow night on the matter. I myself actually sit on the Council. The details weren't very clear, any additional information you could acquire on the issue and forward to me before then would be appreciative. Not only would there be coin in it for you, but I'd keep your name in mind for future work that comes up."
Gulin takes one of the potions from his pack, one of the ones he hadn't quite had time to identify. He pops the cork and pokes his finger in the liquid, giving it a quick taste and confirming that it is, in fact, a potion of healing.
"This might hurt a bit, lad." He pulls the arrow out of Angus's back, and quickly pours the healing potion into his mouth. "What in Moradin's voluminous beard happened?!"
Angus' breathing stabilizes, the monk's eyes shoot open, and the monk lets loose a yell. "AAAARRGH, man that hurt." It takes a moment for Gulin's question to sink through Angus' head. "I was literally just sitting on the rowboat, watching out towards the cove when a pain hit me in the back. I'm still a little shocked from it, we pulled that rowboat right up next to one of the houses, I thought that the rowboat was pretty hard to spot from any angle but the sea, but I guess I'm a little more fatigued than I thought. Your guess as to what happened Gulin is as good as mine, any ideas on how they got the jump on me? You didn't let anyone know where we were right? I really need a drink, this day has been the worst." The monk's eyes go wild and he quickly fumbles through his pack until he removes the small aged terrarium. "At least the cinderpetal is still here, thank Procan for small favors. So much for rolling the booze into the cove Zi!"
You hear a cough come from the clerk's desk. "Well this has been enlightening. I'm glad your friend isn't bleeding to death anymore in the council hall. You still haven't answered my questions, and unless you have any information to add I have other work to get back to. Be back here tomorrow at sundown, I'll send my friend here along with you. We will have a member of the town guard with you tonight. What a mess."
Gulin looks at the clerk, already beady eyes narrowed and bushy red eyebrows furrowed. "Aye, well, wanted to make sure my friend here would not perish. Savin' lives first. Less paperwork that way, I'm sure you can attest."
He takes a look at the arrow, comparing it to the ones recovered from the scout they let live. Steve, any connection? Similar wood/feathering/arrowhead?
"We spent only a short while there, unloading some of the recovered goods so that they would not be sitting purely on the waterside, and came promptly enough to speak to you. Whether anyone was watching us as we arrived, I cannot say, but it isn't as if we spoke to anyone before you."
"Zi of course has her home with her father. For Caspia and myself, we will find ourselves to one of the inns. Preferably the kind that do not include backside arrows on the appetizer menu. Happy to answer any further questions, if you have any."
If he doesn't, happy to depart for an inn conveniently shown to us by Zi, unless Caspia has more to say to him.
Josh, I forgot that you have two levels of exhaustion, so the roll is with disadvantage. Sorry!
Gulin Runehammer Investigation Second Roll (disadvantage): 7
You twirl the arrow in your fingers, inspecting the fletching and feathers. The appearance and construction of the arrow appears similar, but you aren't sure enough to come to a definitive conclusion.
The clerk looks at the dwarf, "This conversation has been as unenlightening as it has been unexpected. Strange that whoever did this to your friend could mobilize that fast, but it sounds like the guards still have some of the evidence. I'm sure the council will have more questions for you tomorrow. The council meeting will be here right at sundown. Until then I suggest The Wicker Goat, it is up some ways near the town wall, but it is better than the other options. I'll have the town guard follow you there."
Zi continues to look over Angus' wounds, "Angus is pretty tired and still in bad shape. I suggest he room near you tonight Gulin. I'll help you carry him to the Wicker Goat, though I do intend to make may way back to the temple after you three are settled in. I'll be safe there, plenty of other acolytes, and then there is my dad. I'll just feel safer there myself."
And with that the group leaves the clerk to his paperwork, by now the sun has completely set and the streets of Saltmarsh, while not entirely deserted, are pretty empty. Zi leads the group up a hill. You slowly march for a few blocks until the town wall is in sight and you arrive at the last two buildings in town. On your right as you face the aged wooden town walls is a a stout structure made of stone. You see three to four guards patrolling the stone structure's perimeter. On the left is a two story wooden building with a sign over it's door identifying it as the Wicker Goat.
Entering the building you are greeted by laughter, warmth, and the smell of fresh food. Despite it's outward appearance, the interior is respectable. At one end of the room is a fireplace with a mantle. It is followed by half a dozen tables, mostly empty by this hour, though a few scattered patrons are enjoying beverages. Of note at the table closest to the fireplace is a middle-aged female dwarf in close conversation with a half-elf man. At the dwarf's end of the table is a stack of papers, and the two are sharing a round of ales while they converse.
On the other end of the tavern lies a wooden bar with open bar-stools and a muscled white haired human with a handlebar mustache cleaning a tankard. Along the back wall is a set of stairs leading to a second floor.
Reynnar Eversharp:
Manistrad leans back in her chair, "I just don't like walking into surprises. Bad enough I have to sit on this Town Council. Talking to the parties involved may be a good place to start. The details the town guard gave me were pretty lacking. Supposedly a group of highly armed, but haphazard, adventurers stumbled into some sort of smuggling operation a few leagues west of town. They just arrived back today and were ambushed down at Crabber's Cove. It is a small beach adjacent to the docks, many of the locals are superstitious about the area and have long since abandoned the buildings there, but I don't believe any of that malarkey for a minute. Smuggling is against the Crown's laws and we don't tolerate it, especially inside the town walls. Crabber's Cove may be abandoned but it is still part of the town. Attacking someone in broad daylight reeks of either desperation or an operation with strong local roots. I'd appreciate any information or leads you can pick up on the smuggling ring before the council meeting. I imagine the council will want to authorize some sort of response. The Town Council meeting will take place at the Council Hall at sundown tomorrow, it is a large brick building and hard to miss. I'll be there an hour or so beforehand if you could swing by early to report your findings. If you need to get ahold of me sooner, well you know what tavern table to find me at. But don't feel the need to come pestering me every hour with updates unless it is important."
As the dwarf finishes talking, the tavern door opens. A blue triton female, a male dwarf, and a red-headed female woman, all heavily armored, enter the Wicker Goat. They are escorting a human who clearly has blood scattered across his shoulder and crusted down the front of his shirt. Behind them is a member of the town guard. Manistrad notices the new arrivals, eyes over their equipment and the human's wounds and turns back to you, "Looks like some of your quarry may have come to you. The goddess Rudd must be smiling on you. But I really do have a few things to finish up here, so I'll leave this to you to if you have nothing else for me. Good hunting."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Insight to know what Reynnar knows about the Sea Princes: 12
Reynnar looks at the group and replies, "Always known I was blessed, I'll get to work."
Reynnar then gets up from the table, quickly trying to palm one of the papers from the table, and calmly walks over to the group of adventurers.
Sleight of hand to palm whichever paper looked most interesting: 10
He gives a slight bow and introduces himself. "Well, it does seem that you folks have had quite a day. I hear you had some trouble with some smugglers? Reynnar Eversharp, I've been hired by Manistrad to help you all out."
Before entering, Gulin has Avalloc post up on the roof, keeping an eye for Shady characters moving through the night.
Gulin heads directly to the bar, prior to the half elf moving towards the group. He points to a table comfortable close to the fire, near to the seated dwarf and half elf, motioning for the ladies to take Angus there.
Speaking to the mustachio'd man, "Ah, keep, you and your establishment are a sight for sore eyes. I'll take a round of good ale and whatever hot meal you have for me and my friends over there. And a trio of rooms for the night, if you have the availability."
(Pay from the group fund.)
Gulin goes to the table shortly, two massive tankards in each burly hand. He gives one to each of his compatriots. "To surviving the night, may there be always plenty more! Slàinte! <Cheers! >"
He then watches the half elf approach and make his greeting.
"For a sleepy fishing village, words travel quickly. Aye, that'll be us. Gulin of the Runehammer clan, at your service. If you don't mind me askin', what did the local matriarch of the Copperlocks hire you to do? Curious we would warrant her attention and coin. "
Reynnar:
The dwarf speaking to you has a gruff, heavily accented voice (imagine Scottish), though he seems well-enough mannered. He has a large red beard, tied into three braids and banded by solid rune-engraved iron rings, and the rest of his hair is tied back. He looks at you with his hazel eyes, nose and skin a ruddy complexion. His armor, a burnished scalemail of Dwarven make over a gray gambeson, has seen some scuffs and scrapes recently. He rests a pair of steel-and-leather gauntlets on the table, his uncovered hands holding the large ale tankard. In a pile next to his seat is a travel cloak drapped over some sort of bag, and a large runed warhammer leans up against the table.
Moonday Evening, Goodmonth 9th, 591 CY
As Gulin speaks Zi begins to look uncomfortable, "I really think we should inform someone before the sun goes down tonight. A few fishers and children over the years have gone missing in Crabber's Cove at night. This may not be the safest place to rest, I'd really prefer to sleep in my room at the temple, and if something were to happen we are in pretty rough shape."
Angus listening responds, "Why don't you four head into town and get some help, I'll keep an eye on our bounty for you."
Ned looking around at the dilapidated surroundings and the army of crabs marching from the abandoned buildings into the surf also remarks, "I think I'll be heading into town for the night myself. There is a local merchant here I know that has work for me."
DM for Out of the Abyss | Edvord Reinholdt for Killilli's Waterdeep Dragon Heist | Sergeant Cernan for Viper's Descent
Caspia's interest is piqued by Gulin's story.
"For hundreds of years, Tritons battled the dangerous beasts of the oceans--Krakens, Leviathans, you name it. Now the creatures are so rare as to make our training and skills in battle superfluous in that regard--it makes sailing on trader's vessels rather boring in comparison. A dwarf's quest to find a lost royal family sounds like an adventure I would join, though I don't profess to be skilled in mountain traveling. At least for now, I'm short a ship and short a job. Perhaps we can join together to find the answers we seek in the future.
Zi, would there be an inn or room at the temple in town that we could rest at? Angus could watch the bounty for now until we find more information."
Caspia eyes the crabs dismissively. "I never liked crabs. Pests."
Zi's eyes are wide as Caspia talks, "Wow! Triton's are so cool! I have a small room, more like a cell, at the temple. Wellgar doesn't like to show favoritism to me over the other acolytes. I'm sure one or both of you could lay on the ground there, but it wouldn't be too comfortable. There are a pair of inns in the town, though I honestly haven't spent much time in either one of them. The Wicker Goat is up towards the city gate, it's owned by Lankus Kurrid who is respected throughout the community. The other tavern is the Snapping Line. It is down by the waterfront and more rowdy."
The map post on the first page is bugged and I can't edit it. I'll get you guys an updated map post somewhere on that first page. Also what do you guys want to do? I feel like we may be stuck in a conversation loop. Zi has suggested either (a) tossing it into the Azure Sea as an offering to Procan or (b) immediately informing an authority figure such as a guard or the harbor master. Out on the water Ned suggested (c) keeping the goods for yourselves.
DM for Out of the Abyss | Edvord Reinholdt for Killilli's Waterdeep Dragon Heist | Sergeant Cernan for Viper's Descent
Josh, what do you want to do with all this stuff? It just seems like a huge hassle to right now. Maybe we just get the useful magical stuff and dump the rest with the guards or in the sea?
I don't want to get stuck hauling around a bunch of crap every time we go somewhere.
Sorry, had a busy few days.
Gulin contemplates a moment. "Zi, take your selection of the silks and a few casks, whatever you deem appropriate. I think a priestess's best judgement will garner us some overall favor with the Lord of the Seas. Moradin knows, a dwarf on a boat is a fellow looking for allies wherever he can. Sink like stones, we do, and that's before the armor."
"As for the rest, Angus can keep an eye on it for now, and hopefully only drink a full cask of rum before morning. Let us head into town and inform the council of our findings and what remains of the goods after Procan takes his share."
Gulin lets out a yawn. "And maybe get some coffee."
Steve, time check. If it is morning or midday, when the council or their representatives might be at work, we can go there first. We'll just be sleepy. If its late afternoon/evening, then inn. Oh, and I'm just referring to the bulk goods. The Bag o' Loot's goodies are our fair reward. Can spend some time resting trying to fix up the platemail for Caspia.
Aldrik Reinholdt in Dragon Heist
Daventry in The Candlekeep Mysteries, and her bag
Reynnar finishes off his second ale, and attempts to sidle up to a nearby table unnoticed to eavesdrop on the conversation between the Manistrad and the soldier, hoping to overhear something that will give him an in. The talk of the Sea Princes interests him, either as potentially allies or marks...
Stealth to sneak to a nearby table: 17
Perception to listen in: 9
Moonday Evening, Goodmonth 9th, 591 CY
"Aye, though don't tarry too long, I have a date with a comfortable bed and pillow that I will not push off any longer!" The monk gives an exaggerated yawn to accompany his words of bravado.
Zi points to the casks of brandy, "Roll one of those down to the water, and bring me three bolts of the silk. We really should have done this at the start of our journey, but it is never too late to appease a god."
Caspia and Gulin easily move the identified goods down to the water, handing them to the cleric. "Almighty Procan, master of the waves and bringer of storms, please take these offerings from your humble servants as a gift. Let a portion of the goods which traversed your realm be returned to your domain for the holy texts say that this is right and just." And with that Zi uses her longsword to puncture the cask of brandy, spilling it out into the ocean, then tosses the three bolts of silk far out into the water. Angus and Ned look on dumbstruck, "Hell if I knew you were just going to pour it in the Azure Sea I would have insisted on tasting the goods first!" You watch as Zi shoots Angus a stare that could kill, this is the first time you've seen the girl act without her usual air of frivolity.
Zi, then motions to Caspia, Gulin, and Ned, follow me and I'll lead you to the town council's chambers. You walk past the abandoned houses of Crabber's Cove. By now the sun is setting and the remaining denizens are skittering out into the sea. Entering the town of Saltmarsh you see that the docks are still busy during this hour. At some point as you are watching the fishing vessels unload you look back at the group and notice that Ned is no longer with you. He must finally have run off to meet his merchant friend.
You wind past more than half-dozen docks and twice as many buildings before Zi brings you to a large brick building. This structure has clearly been built from the sturdy stone of nearby cliffs. A wooden sign depicting a net filled with fish hangs above the double doors leading into the hall. A small tower rises from the building housing a horn at the top. In front of the building lies a weather-beaten platform and gallows. Zi opens the door to the building, leading you into a foyer area where a bespeckled clerk pushes paper. "How can I help you?" The clerk mutters, without looking up. As Zi opens her mouth and begins to speak, the clerk's eyes look up. "Ugh, you again, what is it this time?"
Zi repeats her story a few times, trying to get through to the clerk. "As I was saying, my friends and I stumbled onto something at the Haunted Mansion. We brought the goods back in a rowboat to prove it, they are down at Crabber's Cove. Well except for the ones I gave back to Procan." By now Zi has slowly become exasperated. The clerk tugs at a beardless chin thinking before ringing a bell. Two guards enter the room, "Go down to Crabber's Cove. The daughter of Wellgar here thinks they found something at the abandoned mansion. The guards leave.
The clerk puts his hand up silencing Zi, and turns to Gulin and Caspia, "I don't believe I recognize either one of you. What is your business here in town? And could one of you plainly explain what you think has happened? What were you doing up at the mansion and what exactly did you find?"
DM for Out of the Abyss | Edvord Reinholdt for Killilli's Waterdeep Dragon Heist | Sergeant Cernan for Viper's Descent
Late Moonday Evening, Goodmonth 9th, 591 CY
Reynnar Eversharp:
You confidently slither to a table across from Manistrad and by the fireplace, confident that your nonchalant movements have not been assigned any ill-intent. The guard and Manistrad continue their conversation, not paying any heed to the fact that you have moved noticeable closer.
You lean back as you drink, straining to hear the conversation. Unfortunately the roar from the patrons of the Wicker Goat makes evesdropping difficult and you are unable to make out the entire conversation. The snippets you do hear include the following excerpts:
"The Alchemist's Haunted Mansion"
"Emergency town council session tomorrow night"
"Crabber's Cove"
"Sailor near death"
"Smuggling ring"
You observe the female dwarf throughout the conversation, her composure remains rigid and unreadable, belaying no hint to the remaining patrons in the room of the conversation that is occurring. Eventually the guard leaves. Manistrad leans back in her chair and lets loose a loud sigh, ruffling her long hair with her hands. Looking up she notices you sitting at the table nearby, "Evening stranger, new to town?"
DM for Out of the Abyss | Edvord Reinholdt for Killilli's Waterdeep Dragon Heist | Sergeant Cernan for Viper's Descent
Gulin stands up straight, hiding his tiredness.
"Gulin of the Runehammer clan. I arrived not long ago from Keoland, sailing aboard the White Breaker along with some of the Copperlock lot. I was working on fixing some of the equipment up at the mine, and heard tale that the old alchemist could have the right formulas and equipment needed to help finish my job. I met with Caspia and Zi, here, who had aligned goals, which she can tell you about. What I did not expect was that the alchemist was now a member of the walking dead, and that the entire basement hid a smuggling operation headed by a human mage named Sanbalet."
Gulin pauses a moment, chuckling. "Well, I guess headed was a poor choice of words. In the melee, Sanbalet lost his, after he and his men attempted assault and battery upon us. Anyway, we removed the problem, both of the smuggling operation and the undead alchemist."
Aldrik Reinholdt in Dragon Heist
Daventry in The Candlekeep Mysteries, and her bag
Reynnar pretends that he's startled for a moment, as if being jostled after being lost in thought. He moves from his table, pulling his chair up to her table. "Aye, just got into town a few hours ago. Name's Reynnar, pleased to meet you. Looks like you might be having a bit of a frustrating night? Anything you might need help with? I'm a bit of a man who can get things done, and I might be looking for some employment..."
While sitting at the table and engaging in conversation, he discreetly glances at the paperwork on the table.
Perception to see what's on the paperwork she's working on: 14
Caspia eyes the clerk with disdain.
"Gulin speaks the truth. I am a navigator on a trading vessel and my vessel was shipwrecked. I was saved and, in payment, helped the healer find some rare herbs for his work. It led us to the house of ghosts where we found the smuggling operation. The town leaders should know about this. I am new to the surface world, but I assume that undead smugglers aren't common occurrences here. We have handled those in the house, but there may be others out there. We also rescued this man, Ned, from the house as well."
Late Moonday Evening, Goodmonth 9th, 591 CY
As Caspia finishes speaking, she looks back and notices that Ned is no longer with the group. He must have peeled off at some point as the party made it's way towards the Council's hall.
The clerk sits there and thinks for a minute. "Smuggling operation, undead, and mages you say? Quite a fanciful story. If this was just the daughter of Wellgar in here I would dismiss this story out of hand, but the two of you sound respectable enough. We should know soon enough what happened when the guards return. Until then I will need you to remain here."
You wait for the next ten to fifteen minutes. The is a rap at the door, which moments later is slowly opened. The two guards have returned. The two of them are trying to carefully carry Angus. They carefully set the monk down on a bench in the foyer. The back of Angus' shirt is stained with blood and an arrow is protruding from his shoulder-blade. After setting Angus down one of the guards rushes up to the clerk, and speaks in a voice that everyone can clearly hear. "We found this sailor face down in the dirt near an abandoned house in Crabber's Cove. His assailant fled as soon as we arrived. There is a rowboat and nearly a dozen barrels. They appear to be stamped with the markings of a local winery."
Why the guard was talking Zi rushed over to Angus' side, and begins to inspect the wound his in his back.
Zi Medicine Check: 6
The red-headed cleric looks visibly flustered and unsure what to do. The second guard, still standing over Angus speaks up, "He is still breathing but who knows for how long."
The clerk speaks up to the first guard standing by his desk, "Inform the council members, these adventures must have stumbled into a local smuggling operation. We will have a town council meeting tomorrow night." The first guard rushes out of the hall and off into the night.
The clerk looks back at Gulin and Caspia, "Obviously someone isn't happy with your deeds. How long were you at Crabber's Cove and did anyone see the three of you? Hopefully your compatriot saw his assailant. Do you two have a safe place to stay for the night?"
DM for Out of the Abyss | Edvord Reinholdt for Killilli's Waterdeep Dragon Heist | Sergeant Cernan for Viper's Descent
Late Moonday Evening, Goodmonth 9th, 591 CY
Reynnar Eversharp:
Manistrad leans forward in her chair, "Ah an adventurer then perhaps? Well met then! My name is Manistrad Copperlocks. I always have need of your type! Could always use another good sword protecting the silver shipments. The Sea Princes have been mighty active this season. But something a little more urgent may have come up. It sounds like a group of hapless individuals stumbled across a smuggling operation. One of them was attacked in Crabber's Cove and is either dead or dying in the council hall right now. There is a Council meeting tomorrow night on the matter. I myself actually sit on the Council. The details weren't very clear, any additional information you could acquire on the issue and forward to me before then would be appreciative. Not only would there be coin in it for you, but I'd keep your name in mind for future work that comes up."
DM for Out of the Abyss | Edvord Reinholdt for Killilli's Waterdeep Dragon Heist | Sergeant Cernan for Viper's Descent
Gulin takes one of the potions from his pack, one of the ones he hadn't quite had time to identify. He pops the cork and pokes his finger in the liquid, giving it a quick taste and confirming that it is, in fact, a potion of healing.
"This might hurt a bit, lad." He pulls the arrow out of Angus's back, and quickly pours the healing potion into his mouth. "What in Moradin's voluminous beard happened?!"
Aldrik Reinholdt in Dragon Heist
Daventry in The Candlekeep Mysteries, and her bag
Late Moonday Evening, Goodmonth 9th, 591 CY
Angus' breathing stabilizes, the monk's eyes shoot open, and the monk lets loose a yell. "AAAARRGH, man that hurt." It takes a moment for Gulin's question to sink through Angus' head. "I was literally just sitting on the rowboat, watching out towards the cove when a pain hit me in the back. I'm still a little shocked from it, we pulled that rowboat right up next to one of the houses, I thought that the rowboat was pretty hard to spot from any angle but the sea, but I guess I'm a little more fatigued than I thought. Your guess as to what happened Gulin is as good as mine, any ideas on how they got the jump on me? You didn't let anyone know where we were right? I really need a drink, this day has been the worst." The monk's eyes go wild and he quickly fumbles through his pack until he removes the small aged terrarium. "At least the cinderpetal is still here, thank Procan for small favors. So much for rolling the booze into the cove Zi!"
You hear a cough come from the clerk's desk. "Well this has been enlightening. I'm glad your friend isn't bleeding to death anymore in the council hall. You still haven't answered my questions, and unless you have any information to add I have other work to get back to. Be back here tomorrow at sundown, I'll send my friend here along with you. We will have a member of the town guard with you tonight. What a mess."
DM for Out of the Abyss | Edvord Reinholdt for Killilli's Waterdeep Dragon Heist | Sergeant Cernan for Viper's Descent
Ugh, had a whole thing written up but didn't submit, then my computer lost power (mainly because I accidentally pulled the plug).
"Coin and favors sound good to me. Sounds like something I'd be interested in. You need me to talk to this injured fellow to start with?"
Gulin looks at the clerk, already beady eyes narrowed and bushy red eyebrows furrowed. "Aye, well, wanted to make sure my friend here would not perish. Savin' lives first. Less paperwork that way, I'm sure you can attest."
He takes a look at the arrow, comparing it to the ones recovered from the scout they let live. Steve, any connection? Similar wood/feathering/arrowhead?
"We spent only a short while there, unloading some of the recovered goods so that they would not be sitting purely on the waterside, and came promptly enough to speak to you. Whether anyone was watching us as we arrived, I cannot say, but it isn't as if we spoke to anyone before you."
"Zi of course has her home with her father. For Caspia and myself, we will find ourselves to one of the inns. Preferably the kind that do not include backside arrows on the appetizer menu. Happy to answer any further questions, if you have any."
If he doesn't, happy to depart for an inn conveniently shown to us by Zi, unless Caspia has more to say to him.
Aldrik Reinholdt in Dragon Heist
Daventry in The Candlekeep Mysteries, and her bag
Late Moonday Evening, Goodmonth 9th, 591 CY
Gulin Runehammer Investigation: 15
Josh, I forgot that you have two levels of exhaustion, so the roll is with disadvantage. Sorry!
Gulin Runehammer Investigation Second Roll (disadvantage): 7
You twirl the arrow in your fingers, inspecting the fletching and feathers. The appearance and construction of the arrow appears similar, but you aren't sure enough to come to a definitive conclusion.
The clerk looks at the dwarf, "This conversation has been as unenlightening as it has been unexpected. Strange that whoever did this to your friend could mobilize that fast, but it sounds like the guards still have some of the evidence. I'm sure the council will have more questions for you tomorrow. The council meeting will be here right at sundown. Until then I suggest The Wicker Goat, it is up some ways near the town wall, but it is better than the other options. I'll have the town guard follow you there."
Zi continues to look over Angus' wounds, "Angus is pretty tired and still in bad shape. I suggest he room near you tonight Gulin. I'll help you carry him to the Wicker Goat, though I do intend to make may way back to the temple after you three are settled in. I'll be safe there, plenty of other acolytes, and then there is my dad. I'll just feel safer there myself."
And with that the group leaves the clerk to his paperwork, by now the sun has completely set and the streets of Saltmarsh, while not entirely deserted, are pretty empty. Zi leads the group up a hill. You slowly march for a few blocks until the town wall is in sight and you arrive at the last two buildings in town. On your right as you face the aged wooden town walls is a a stout structure made of stone. You see three to four guards patrolling the stone structure's perimeter. On the left is a two story wooden building with a sign over it's door identifying it as the Wicker Goat.
Entering the building you are greeted by laughter, warmth, and the smell of fresh food. Despite it's outward appearance, the interior is respectable. At one end of the room is a fireplace with a mantle. It is followed by half a dozen tables, mostly empty by this hour, though a few scattered patrons are enjoying beverages. Of note at the table closest to the fireplace is a middle-aged female dwarf in close conversation with a half-elf man. At the dwarf's end of the table is a stack of papers, and the two are sharing a round of ales while they converse.
On the other end of the tavern lies a wooden bar with open bar-stools and a muscled white haired human with a handlebar mustache cleaning a tankard. Along the back wall is a set of stairs leading to a second floor.
Reynnar Eversharp:
Manistrad leans back in her chair, "I just don't like walking into surprises. Bad enough I have to sit on this Town Council. Talking to the parties involved may be a good place to start. The details the town guard gave me were pretty lacking. Supposedly a group of highly armed, but haphazard, adventurers stumbled into some sort of smuggling operation a few leagues west of town. They just arrived back today and were ambushed down at Crabber's Cove. It is a small beach adjacent to the docks, many of the locals are superstitious about the area and have long since abandoned the buildings there, but I don't believe any of that malarkey for a minute. Smuggling is against the Crown's laws and we don't tolerate it, especially inside the town walls. Crabber's Cove may be abandoned but it is still part of the town. Attacking someone in broad daylight reeks of either desperation or an operation with strong local roots. I'd appreciate any information or leads you can pick up on the smuggling ring before the council meeting. I imagine the council will want to authorize some sort of response. The Town Council meeting will take place at the Council Hall at sundown tomorrow, it is a large brick building and hard to miss. I'll be there an hour or so beforehand if you could swing by early to report your findings. If you need to get ahold of me sooner, well you know what tavern table to find me at. But don't feel the need to come pestering me every hour with updates unless it is important."
As the dwarf finishes talking, the tavern door opens. A blue triton female, a male dwarf, and a red-headed female woman, all heavily armored, enter the Wicker Goat. They are escorting a human who clearly has blood scattered across his shoulder and crusted down the front of his shirt. Behind them is a member of the town guard. Manistrad notices the new arrivals, eyes over their equipment and the human's wounds and turns back to you, "Looks like some of your quarry may have come to you. The goddess Rudd must be smiling on you. But I really do have a few things to finish up here, so I'll leave this to you to if you have nothing else for me. Good hunting."
DM for Out of the Abyss | Edvord Reinholdt for Killilli's Waterdeep Dragon Heist | Sergeant Cernan for Viper's Descent
Insight to know what Reynnar knows about the Sea Princes: 12
Reynnar looks at the group and replies, "Always known I was blessed, I'll get to work."
Reynnar then gets up from the table, quickly trying to palm one of the papers from the table, and calmly walks over to the group of adventurers.
Sleight of hand to palm whichever paper looked most interesting: 10
He gives a slight bow and introduces himself. "Well, it does seem that you folks have had quite a day. I hear you had some trouble with some smugglers? Reynnar Eversharp, I've been hired by Manistrad to help you all out."
Before entering, Gulin has Avalloc post up on the roof, keeping an eye for Shady characters moving through the night.
Gulin heads directly to the bar, prior to the half elf moving towards the group. He points to a table comfortable close to the fire, near to the seated dwarf and half elf, motioning for the ladies to take Angus there.
Speaking to the mustachio'd man, "Ah, keep, you and your establishment are a sight for sore eyes. I'll take a round of good ale and whatever hot meal you have for me and my friends over there. And a trio of rooms for the night, if you have the availability."
(Pay from the group fund.)
Gulin goes to the table shortly, two massive tankards in each burly hand. He gives one to each of his compatriots. "To surviving the night, may there be always plenty more! Slàinte! <Cheers! >"
He then watches the half elf approach and make his greeting.
"For a sleepy fishing village, words travel quickly. Aye, that'll be us. Gulin of the Runehammer clan, at your service. If you don't mind me askin', what did the local matriarch of the Copperlocks hire you to do? Curious we would warrant her attention and coin. "
Reynnar:
The dwarf speaking to you has a gruff, heavily accented voice (imagine Scottish), though he seems well-enough mannered. He has a large red beard, tied into three braids and banded by solid rune-engraved iron rings, and the rest of his hair is tied back. He looks at you with his hazel eyes, nose and skin a ruddy complexion. His armor, a burnished scalemail of Dwarven make over a gray gambeson, has seen some scuffs and scrapes recently. He rests a pair of steel-and-leather gauntlets on the table, his uncovered hands holding the large ale tankard. In a pile next to his seat is a travel cloak drapped over some sort of bag, and a large runed warhammer leans up against the table.
Aldrik Reinholdt in Dragon Heist
Daventry in The Candlekeep Mysteries, and her bag