Session 66: Rebellion Report

General Summary

Shan'tie uses Performance of Creation to make a "very piratey pegleg" which will last in the interim while Menace gets a proper peglag, which will take a Long Rest with Woodcarver's Tools. Which she does the night after they return, and in the morning it is fixed.

Shan'tie looks around and asks what to do. Delmirev suggests removing the empire, and Menace and Shan'tie debate the ease of removing that rot (from the very church itself). Menace bounces that Maria Primewater at least works under the Empire's nose, and she's a councilwoman--she might be an in in Saltmarsh.

Delmirev points out Burle and Alliance Tower exist, and Shan'tie points out they aren't an army. Mystan says they need numbers, and they start discussing potential allies. The other members of the Aquatic Alliance are possible, as well as the Silverstand and Tenas Palach, largely through Black Axe.

They brainstorm more ideas. Burle is close; maybe they should try to convince Kiara Shadowbreaker to defect? They could do the rat-in-the-pocket plan again. They also consider speaking with Black Axe and the Silverstand Elves.

Menace and Mystan are both skeptical of talking with Granny Nightshade, and Virion is also a little hesitant--but Shan'tie really likes the idea.

Shan'tie asks Menace how to talk to someone like Granny Nightshade, and Menace suggests "don't" and encourages the party to pursue other avenues. Mystan concurs. They ultimately decide to not pursue an alliance with her. So off to the Silverstand they go, namely its defacto capitol T'kopechuck Village. They travel sneakily and camp on the north side of hill to hide, making sure not to light a camp fire and roughing out the cold and rain. Eventually they reach the edge of the silverstand. Virion knows there are sentries who usually see you before you see them. He is dressed in traditional elven dess as a sort of disguise. They walk normally, with weapons sheathed and no intention to attack, all in cloaks and hats to keep off the rain.

Three elves, with bows and axes, drop from the trees when they enter. They ask, in elvish, "speak your names and purpose."

Shan'tie introduces herself and explains they're here to speak with the Saal. Menace introduces themself as Menace, Mystan as Sir Co'oqulian, Virion as Motana of the House of the Silver Wolf, and Delmirev as Sir Delmirev. They only take notice ot Virion's name.

One of the elves blinks, "Could you repeat that." Virion declines, there's silence, and then he says again "Motana of the House of the Silver Wolf" in kinda broken Elvish.

They instead take them to Noohw't-la-hash, and the Ghosts of Saltmarsh are confused as to why the Saal is occupied--the scouts explain that they have come at an "interesting time".

T'kopechuck Town, along the Silverstream River, is a large town full of longhouses and totem poles, some carved into still living trees.

They are brought to the Silver Wolf Longhouse, a place Virion hasn't seen in nearly 80 years. Black Axe stands up, he's wearing everyday clothes. He's surprised the Ghosts are here; especially with the name Virion gave. He asks why, and Virion explains it was for safety.

Black Axe asks why they wanted to see the Saal, and Shan'tie explains that they have matters to discuss with him about the Empire. He asks if this is "Mushroom Appreciation Society" buisness, or if this would require a "Longer House". They say the latter, and Black Axe asks that they discuss this elsewhere; deeper into the Longhouse is the Saal who is meeting with none other than Kiara Shadowbreaker to negotate a trade agreement.

He brings them upstream and into a small burrow that he has widened over the centuries. He has them sit on cedar mats, and they discuss rebellion. The Mushroom Appreciation Society were the ones to hook Shan'tie up with the Forest People, and as it happens the matter of trade dispute is a reworking of the Wild Flame Pact to allow the empire access to the Silverstream's salmon.

Shan'tie offers to try and spread rumors to get the people on board, while the others need to talk to Shadowbreaker and the Saal. Luckily, they split up to have dinner with their own peoples, and Black Axe is invited and can take Virion and guests.

They sit at the table in degrees of status, with Motana and Black Axe a few seats away from the Saal. The Saal--a old elf, with graying hair and wrinkles, but still a strong upright build--has the newcomers introduce themselves, and he then asks Tyee Motana what brings him here. Motana explains that he comes as a friend of the Silverstand, hoping to... "personally I have a lot to make up for".

"It is never too late to make up for our mistakes. Where do you plan to start?" The Saal is so warm that Virion almost forgets he is surrounded by people.

"I just wish to help everyone here. I don't know how, but I'm willing to try."

The Saal re-explains the problem of the pact, and that he fears Seaton will not fish responsibly. He then asks the Ghosts of Saltmarsh what they think of Saltmarsh. Menace pipes up, "They're nice enough folks but they definitely don't understand. In the Underdark there's this idea of balance, of giving and taking and making sure there's enough. I don't think the people of Saltmarsh understand that."

"The people of Saltmarsh, no, the government of Saltmarsh are like a bottomless stomach. They will take, and take, and take until there is nothing left."

There's a gumble of agreement, and in general everyone agrees. The Saal points out that they can keep the treaty the same but as long as it stays in place, they cannot move against the empire.

Shan'tie points out that the empire already breaks treaties, and likely will the eternal flame pact if they cannot change it. She also mentions what happened with the Order of Raan, and Mystan explains.

There's surprise and horror, and people generally are having their anti-empire sentiments organized and coalesenced. People begin to voice more and more greviences.

They have time on their side. They can stall the negotations, refuse to give up any terms and let the emprie either give up or void it themself--the elves cannot void the treaty without risking war. In the meantime, they can gather allies and strength, building a coalition.

They discuss who could help in such a coalition. Governor Yalkus, representative for the Littlefolk, would be useful. Black Axe and Shan'tie also vouch for the elves of the Hoolwood, and Mystan the Lizardfolk in Hool. Other members of the Aquatic Alliance, such as the Locatha, could be a powerful ally (a great champion of the Locatha is named).

Adrex points out that the Order of Raan is making trouble more in the imperial core, and this is the periphary. That would be a distraction.

Black Axe gives Motana the old family canoes, one of the last things he has from his parents that hasn't gone in a potlach.

As they leave, they see Kiara and Wanderroot from afar.

Four days later, the party rows down the Dunwater River. As they approach the Lizardfolk Lair, home to Minist Sauriv and his collection of Lizardfolk (Queen Othokent rules out of Javan Fortress). They spot campires, and Mystan identifies Imperials--while Menace notices that Captain Fireborn is on the perimeter. It is night.

They stealthily ply through the Dunwater River and approach the promitory. They successfully charm Eliander, steal his amulet, hold person and silence him, then flee upriver with him hog tied.

He offers them that boat ride again, but the Ghosts decline. The party then asks Fireborn what he was doing here, and he explains that Serrano was seeing if Dunwater or Javan were hosting the party. Seeing that Eliander has nothing left to offer in info, Shan'tie offers to just... kill him. Right then and there. Eliander points out that a fair trial would be in order, and the party debates with everyone else wanting a fair trial or imprisonment.

They then discuss the ethics of killing all the soldiers if they want Eliander to live, and how they should do the honorable thing and give them the chance to surrender.

Instead they wait for sentries to notice that Fireborn is gone and then they sneak in. They speak with Minister Sauriv, who eventually goes to speak with the Scourge of Hool. They talk to the dragon, and the black beast agrees to help make the Empire wither and die.

The party returns to their old church, taking a captive Fireborn with them.