Shipwrecked in Saltmarsh

     "Any keys I found I passed on to someone else," Fianna answers.

     After breakfast is done, Fianna will announce she is going to check out the magics for sale...  That OctoFin is still checking out the wreck and hanging out there as there's no other relevant leads to follow at the moment.  People can either come with or Fianna can catch up with them later.

(The keys are still in Fianna's pocket. She offered them up, but nobody took them. They were last used to try to free Oceanus - as it turned out, that key wasn't among the ones Fianna found, but rather the one Kelnan found.)

Octofin continues to monitor the wreck. The crabs move this way and that with mysterious purpose; a stream constantly comes and goes into the hole under the huge boulder nearby. They also occasionally explore the wreck itself, maybe looking for food. At one point something big swims by, at the limits of the octopus' vision, to the southeast - a huge fish, perhaps. The water is cloudy and cold, but Octofin is perfectly content with the conditions.

With or without company, FIanna leaves the tavern, and heads over the nausea-inducing bridge, past the green market, toward the Faithful Quartermasters headquarters, as indicated by the kid at the bar. (Who is accompanying her?)

((I don't think Fianna tried to free Oceanus so whoever did would have had the keys?  But whatever, if Fianna has keys she tosses them to Katernin.))

     If it seems safe, OctoFin will explore the hole.  If the crabs are aggressive to the octopus at all then OctoFin will stay out of the way and safe... But otherwise, what's in the hole??

     While crossing the bridge Fianna will make a stylized shamrock symbol appear over the bridge as she approaches.  She will use Prestidigitation to create this same symbol each and every time she crosses the bridge.

Octofin approaches the hole under the boulder, but the crabs do indeed get protective and hostile. Octofin's delicate tentacles are no match for their armored claws, so the little octopus keeps its distance for now.

Meanwhile, Fianna (and anyone who cares to accompany her) finds a small office marked with a modest sign announcing the "Faithful Quartermasters". It's nearly across the street from the Empty Net, which is open for business, even with some damage still apparent from the recent explosion. A grim-looking human answers Fianna's knock and escorts her into a large, hot office, where Xendros is hunched over a desk full of papers. "Yes?" she asks, sourly. She makes intense, unblinking eye-contact. Her jewelry is dark and grotesque.

(Is Katernin opening the box with Fianna's key? What's everyone doing now?)

((I'll wait on everyone else's morning plans before advancing...))

Katerrnin takes the key and goes to unlock the box

I think Molo is eager to see the lockbox contents 

Katernin indeed finds the key to the box and unlocks it. It is not trapped and opens easily. The box contains 500 silver pieces and what looks like a mummified ear.

Molo stares at the ear a moment. “Ew. Let’s go do something else, now. That’s gross.”

Xendros drills her gaze through Fianna with intense, unblinking, tiefling eyes. "Speak, half-elf. I am busy."

She sits up from her paperwork. Xendros is very tall, her body language and appearance intimidating. Her human servant vanishes into another room.

     Brusque and to the point, Fianna thought.  Works for me.

     “Some companions and I may go exploring underwater soon.  Was curious if you had anything that could aid in such,” Fianna answered.  She was tempted to let her eyes roam around but instead kept them on the captain...

Kelnan (prior to moving on - he'd like to go with Fianna. Sorry, been dealing with family this weekend)

"I've seen spells that let one breathe underwater, but maintaining a constant rate liquid/gas transmutation matrix was just beyond me. After drowning a few mice and rather... inflating another I had to let it go. I'm curious what someone else might be able to offer."

Xendros drops her gaze and thinks for a minute. After a pause, she announces, "I have access to many items. I have boots that will let one fly, and a sword that will be your ever-watching guard. I have potions that will let one breathe fire or even give you the strength of a giant. I have items beyond your comprehension and your purse. But breathing underwater will take some research. Give me fifty gold and three weeks, and I will try."

Dain passes on the 150 gold, telling the party to keep it in the group fund.  "I've no real need for it, as long as I have enough in me purse for beer an food an a roof o'er me head."

He will just spend the day kicking around the town.  He is feeling a bit lost and directionless at present.

     Fianna cocks an eyebrow at the service fee but otherwise let’s that pass.  “I’m afraid our excursion is a more pressing matter than that, I was hoping that you’d have something already in stock that could help. Figured with all the sailors and all...”

     Fianna sighs, then shrugs.  “Thank you, though. I do appreciate your time.”  Fianna passed the captain a gold piece for their troubles.

     “Any other ideas on how we could search down there?” Fianna asks, turning to Kelnan.

Kelnan thanks the captain, nudges Fianna out the door, and whispers.

"The imprisoned mage may be able to help us, though we'd have to avoid drawing further ire from the council. Or maybe just see if there is any salvage equipment available for rent and trust in our heartier friends' lungs. I'm not much of a swimmer myself of course."

     “I’m not sure we can do a jail break and not annoy the council but..” Fianna shrugs. “I will get to the council in my own time.”

     “Personally I can’t swim at all. I’d have died in the shipwreck if not for clinging to floating debris.  But if they can, then they should.  Though OctoFin has still seen no bodies...”

Xendros says nothing further. Her assistant holds the door open, and Fianna and Kelnan gather themselves outside Xendros' office. An old man stares from the side of the Empty Net across the street.

Dain wanders around town. The snow is melting on the foul-smelling cobblestones, but it remains quite cold. A acne-faced young man approaches to quietly offer him some rather pricey rat poisons. Dain waves him off. Soon after, a half-orc wearing a finely-tailored suit (if a little worn and frayed) approaches Dain on the street. "You one of them that took down the smuggler ship?" he asks quietly.

 Katernin and Molo contemplate an ear.

It's mid-morning. Molo's boot may be ready as soon as tonight.

Molo swishes his tail as he starts hobbling towards his boot-in-progress.

I be at a real crossroads in me life, it seems.  Not really a part of this town, but still stuck here.  I never expected to become a mercenary, but I suppose it pays the way better than smithing.  Me da would be sad that me hammer isn't being used to strike anvils anymore.  But me ma would be proud that it's being used to strike a blow for good.  And then there's that little Molo.   Who would have thought I would be running around with a kobold?  Neither of them would be proud o' that.  Yet he's a likable little fella, I'll say that fer him.  Maybe all kobolds is like him?

Dain looks up at the half-orc, a little off-balance to be thrown out of his reverie.  "Errr, can I help ye?  Smugglers?  Oh, yes.  I was," he answers hesitantly.