GoS Session 20: Report

General Summary

Last time we left our heroes they has just freed the water nymph Milla from being trapped on the Elemental Plane of Water by Raqwinia and reunited her with her lover Calxiyron. As the party returned to their quarters, Theseus enquired about having their meals brought to their rooms. He was informed that it wouldn't be an issue as Godry had already requested this, as he was reputedly feeling under the weather. Worried, Theseus decided to check on Godry while William and Shiloh returned to their rooms. Knocking on Godry's door, Theseus got no answer. As his knocking got louder, it roused William from his nap. William sent junior into the room, only to find it empty, with Godry's chain shirt and bastard sword left neatly on top of his footlocker. As the pair discussed what this could mean, they were interrupted by Erdan Gerubb, returning from dining with the captain. The halfling was not pleased to see the two heroes blocking the passage, and loudly tutted as she made her way past them. William decided that Godry must be exploring the deck, and decided to return to his room; however, Theseus wasn't so easily swayed. The Triton searched the ship, eventually arriving in the hold. In the hold, Theseus noticed a locked door, and an open trapdoor leading deeper into the boat. The Triton opted to use the trap door and ended up in the waterlogged bilge of the vessel. As he was exploring, he heard a scraping noise from above, and his world was plunged into darkness as the trapdoor was sealed behind him. His shouting and banging were to no avail, and the triton was forced to reach out to Shiloh magically. He explained the situation and waited on their arrival. Shiloh arrived to find a large heavy create sitting atop the trap door. It took them some effort, but they managed to move the crate freeing the triton. After Theseus explained what he was doing, Shiloh noticed the guard was missing on the locked door. They suggested that the pair may want to investigate the door, in case it was connected with Godry. They summoned William, who successfully picked the lock. As the door opened, they were greeted by the guard's crumpled body. As Theseus examined the remains of the man, he noted that his neck had been snapped. Shiloh and William took in the contents of the room. Arranged around the place where several small wooden dockets. Each of these dockets had a metal wire door and seemed to house correspondence or other valuable. One was lying open. William reached into it and found shattered fragments of a stone jug. As he looked closely, he discovered that they were inscribed with sigils. The trio decided to inform Captain Samera Hermatti. She arrived with her first mate and a couple of sailors. She listened to the heroes story and seemed to believe them. Concerned that Lady Gerubb's bodyguard could be behind the murder, Samera sent a couple of sailors to guard the halfling. William asked what was missing from the docket and who it was being delivered to. Samera invited the party to her quarters to look through the ledger. However, as they reached the main deck; one of the watch shouted man overboard. Peering over the edge of the ship, a body could be seen floating face down in the ocean. Theseus dived into the water and with the help of William's spells brought it on board. The face was severely burned, but the chain shirt and bastard sword slung across its back were unmistakable. It seemed that they had found Godry. Samira returned to her quarters, sending the party down to inform Lady Gerubb about Godry. As they descended into the guest quarters, they noticed that it was unnaturally quiet. As Shiloh turned to tell their companions, they found that their speech made no sound. Theseus recognised the work of a Silence spell. They also noticed the absence of the guards. As they checked Godry's room, they found both of the guards dead. Entering Lady Gerubb's room they found the halfling fast asleep. Shiloh woke the ageing halfling, who wasn't best pleased. As she tried to scream, she found that her words made no sound. Shiloh apprehended the halfling, while Theseus search her room. The small room held several heavy travelling chests, a mirror and a variety of makeup and perfumes. The Triton did notice a smashed perfume bottle on the floor. Shiloh took the Lady onto the deck, where she protested her innocence. Theseus searched Godry's room, noting that the bodyguard's armour and sword were now missing. On his way out of the room, the Triton also noticed a number of Lady Gerubb's clothing stuffed under Godry's bed. Returning to the deck, the heroes informed the first mate of the two dead guards and suggested that he should arrange a headcount. With the counting underway, the trio headed into Samira's quarters. Sameri had her back turned to the door. She seemed to be staring out of the window. As the party approached, she turned slowly a distant look in her eyes. Shiloh informed her of what had occurred with the guards. In a hollow voice, she thanked them and asked them to return to their quarters. She would now be conducting an internal investigation. William used the opportunity, to retrieve the open ledger. Returning to the deck, they informed the first mate of the sudden change in the captain's persona. They returned to her quarters with the first mate, to discover her back to her usual self. It took some convincing, but the party were able to explain what had occurred. William checked the ledger and found that the item was being delivered to Xendros, in Saltmarsh. Meanwhile, a further investigation of the lower decks resulted in Shiloh and Theseus being attacked by swarms of rats. The pair fought off the rodents, returning to the deck. It was decided that everyone would remain on the deck during the night.

Campaign

Ghosts of Saltmarsh

Protagonists