Pieces of Eight, Session 1: The Haunted House

General Summary

The town council of Saltmarsh assemble a party of five adventurers to investigate a haunted house just outside of town.

Introduction

Human retired sea-captain/Warlock James Wavebreaker, High-Elf Wizard Alchemist Klearic Faymal, Eladrin grifter/Rouge Vencyne Amakiir, and Gnome shipwright/Artificer Zangrim Tarkelby all met outside of a large brick building in the middle of Saltmarsh. They've each recieved a letter to meet with the town council. They walked together through a pair of large wooden doors and entered the circular council chamber on the inside of the building.
On the other side of town a widow, Zulynn Heartwind, stood in the Saltmarsh cemetery holding her late husband's spyglass. The salty sea air enters her nostrils as the breeze passed over her. She did this each week. She paid her respects each week. She didn't beg for her husband to be brought back anymore, but she did find herself begging any god who can hear to relieve the grief and fill the hole left by her lost love. She prayed and left the cemetery, passing the gravedigger Krag on her way out. As she closed the small gate she noticed something. She felt different, and the spyglass was pulling her. She followed its lead.

Meeting the town council

Back at the council building, the four strangers entered a large chamber where five council members sat in front of them behind a large semi-circular desk. The air in the large chamber felt tense as the quartet look to each member, waiting for someone to talk.
To the far left was the Traditionalist Eda Oweland, the most senior member of the council. She was old, tired, and suspicious of the new Dwarven mining operation. As a Traditionalist, she wanted King Skotti to leave Saltmarsh alone.
Next to Eda, just left of center, was Gellan Primewater, one of the richest people in Saltmarsh. Vencyne was familar with him, as an employee in his criminal empire. He didn't do much politically, using his votes mostly to back Eda. He didn't want to draw much attention to his criminal empire.
To the far right was Manistrad Copperlocks, an iron-willed dwarven woman and the competent leader of the newly established mining operation in Saltmarsh. Manistrad occupied an awkward place on the Council. She was placed in her position by royal decree; King Skotti decided that if Saltmarsh was to support a mining operation, the miners would need a political voice. Someone more diplomatic might’ve been able to smooth over the tensions between the factions but Mannistrad thought this town was full of hick idiots.
Next to Manistrad, just right of the center, was Eliander Fireborn. Eliander was the captain of the town guard, and despite his age he exudes intimidation. He was a threatening warrior, a veteran of war, and also one of the smartest people in town. He supported the King and wanted Saltmarsh to become a more intergal part of Keoland.
The final member of the town council in the center of the room was Anders Solmor. He held a smile on his face and spoke in a measured tone. He didn't lean towards either politcal party, and as a result was usually the mouthpiece of the town council. He spoke first.
Anders greeted the foursome but was almost immediately Interrupted when Eda and Manistrad began to argue about their different political leanings and some woman who had apparently died. With Eliander's help, Anders calms both councilwomen down, and then Eliander finished the opening.

"As Anders was trying to say, a body washed ashore yesterday. A woman. My guards and I did a thorough investigation and noticed a few things. She was bound, or rather she had been bound. But ultimately, the drowning is what killed her. Mannistrad and I believe she was killed by the Sea Princes." - Eliander Fireborn

James Wavebreaker ears perked up. He hated the Sea Princes for killing his adoptive father, Mordecai, and wanted revenge. His glaive, which apparently contained Mordecai's soul, also wanted revenge. Klearic Faymal who was supposedly kidnapped by the Sea Princes a few months earlier agreed to investigate as well.

Leap of faith

Zulynn followed the spyglass' lead to The Leap (an outcropping of rock nearly one hundred feet tall), a familar place to the bereaved of Saltmarsh. Traditionally, the people of Saltmarsh leap from the cliffs into the water below when a loved-one dies. The jump is usually not fatal; the water below the Leap is free of rocks, and it is a short swim back to dry land. Zulynn had broken her leg jumping from it, which had worsened the onslaught of pain she was already going through. These thoughts left Zulynn's mind as a divine power urged her to hide and listen. She took cover behind a nearby rock and noticed two men arguing.

"I don't have your slaves." "Then we have a problem." - Two men arguing

Zulynn heard the first man’s screams as the second man tossed him off of the Leap. From her vantage she could only see the second man’s back, which seems to be clothed in nice dress clothes. She watched him leave, complaining to himself about the uselessness of simple thugs. Out of fear she remained hidden until his back faded from view. When he was finally gone, Zulynn did the only thing she can think of.

Family Reunion

Zulynn Heartwind bursted through the doors into the town council room. The four would-be-adventurers turn to look at her and James instantly recognized his stepmother who had been locked in her and Mordecai's home for the last 9 months. James was suprised to see her out of the house. Zulynn explained what she just saw at The Leap. The Loyalists, Eliander and Manistrad, feel vindicated about wanting to increase Saltmarsh's defenses. Anders calms them down, reminding everyone that is exactly why a party was assembled.

"Right, as I was saying. The woman. The one who washed up, she didn’t live here, but some of the locals recognized her. She came to town with her brother a couple of weeks ago. They were adventurers - Will Perish and May Perish - and last time anyone saw them they were heading out to the old alchemist’s mansion looking for his lost gold. We need you 4… 5 if you're interested in helping, ma’am… to go and investigate the Alchemist’s Mansion. The council needs talented individuals like yourselves to find a way inside, and then find evidence of what happened to the woman and her brother. Then come back here with the proof and the town council will reward each of you for a job well done.” - Anders Solmor

Everyone is convinced to go to the apparently haunted mansion. James and Klearic wanted to fight Sea Princes. Vencyne goes for her boss, Gellan, who recruited her personally for the mission. Zangrim had to go because Eliander was breathing down his neck about money he he owes King Skotti. Zulynn went because something was finally looking out for her. So they set out on their first mission.

Exploring the Spooky House

The quintet entered the Alchemist’s creepy old mansion to look for Will Perish. They found no signs of the ghosts that were rumored to haunt the mansion but after battling several creatures and critters, they found a man bound and gagged. They untied him and asked if he was WIll Perish. He claimed to be and followed them back to Saltmarsh.
Halfway to town, he stabbed Zulynn and ran away as she collapsed to the ground. The four standing adventurers searched for Will, but found only tracks leading back to the mansion.

Report Date

03 Oct 2020

Related Characters

• James Wavebreaker
• Vencyne Amakiir
• Zangrim Tarkelby
• Zulynn Heartwind