Session 121 - Salty Entanglements
General Summary
25th to 30th Ilvin (First Month of Winter) 722TRThe story so far
Avon continues with his plans to become rich and powerful. He has learned that embalmers in the Dwarven Kingdom are having trouble sourcing a special salt for their preservation processes. He may be able to make a profit if he can supply his Dwarven contacts. Luckily one of the Mines which supplies this mineral is owned by Senator Zanek Musbern, a man who owes Avon a favor.
The continuation of Session 120 - Bounty Hunters and Thugs.
Location - Imrium Province in the Thardic Republic.
Part 1 - Wyvern.
As the Heroes make their way through the snowy landscapes of Imrium Province, their journey is interrupted by a large draconic form. A hungry Wyvern attacking from above but is easily beaten back by the Heroes. Apart from that, the Heroes arrive at Castle Imrium without incident.
Location - Castle Imrium in the Thardic Republic.
Part 2 - Castle Imrium.
Arriving late in the Avon day leads the Party to the Eagle's Nest, the most luxurious Inn in the town. He then learns that Senator Musbern is staying in the castle, a guest of his Nephew Parlyn Mustburn, the Commander of the Imrium Cohort of the Gerium Legion. Avon and friends visit the next day.
Senator Zanek Musbern is intrigued to see the Heroes and make them welcome. When asked about the special salts for embalming, he explains that he has had supply issues. One of his Mines is unstable and has had frequent cave-ins. He has been forced to stop the mining operation. Avon offers to help and negotiates an agreement. If Avon can find a way to get the Mine back into operation, he would have the rights to 20% of the Mine's output for ten years. Senator Zanek suggests he met with Master Salter Theodic Tatying, who manages the Mining operations.
- The Mining complex is a day's travel away. It consists of four small Mines, with one not in use as it is considered unsafe.
- Most of the salt from the Mining complex is sold to the Church of Morgath to prevent their corpses from decomposing.
- The sections of the roof of the Mine in question are unstable and has collapsed two years ago, killing six Miners.
- The salt from this Mine is tinted red-brown. It cannot be used for salting food as consuming it long term will cause insanity and death. Exposure to this salt causes other unpleasant illnesses.
- The Mine is roughly square-shaped with two large side passages. One is filled with rock crystal used for rock sculptures.
- The other side passage to the south is still used by Imitar, a Salt Carver and madman. He has an permission to use rock salt for his carvings. He is unconcerned about safety.
After meeting with Master Salter Theodic, the Heroes make the pretense that they are returning to the township. Then they sneak away and travel to the Mine.
Location - Imrium Province in the Thardic Republic.
Part 3 - The Madman and his Muses.
The Heroes arrive at the Mine complex. This is deserted as operations have stopped over winter. Only a custodian is present, and he allows the Party access to the worker cabins for their stay. The next day he shows the Heroes to the unproductive Mine. They enter and find in a small side chamber a cart and many bags of salt in storage. They hear scraping or picking sounds reverberating through the Mines passages. Macabre small statues of monsters, carve from Rocksalt, form a trail South. To the East, Acheron spots human bones on the floor.
The ghosts lose their patience and attack. One possesses Imitar and the other two fly through the walls and attack with a touch which dries and ages the flesh. The Heroes resist the horrific manifestations and possession attempts of the ghosts. They knock Imitar out and dispatch the ghosts with magical attacks and holy smites, at least for the moment. Acheron is aware that the Ghosts will reform in a day, so he will need to find a way to put them at peace. Hopefully, it will be as simple as laying their bones to rest or avenging their deaths.
When Imitar regains consciousness and proves to a little slow, maybe a little mad but very creative and not at all dangerous. Now free from the influence of the ghosts, his artwork takes on a far less sinister form. He tells the Party that the ghosts are of three slave miners who died attempting to escape a year ago. The story of the mine being unsafe is not true; a cruel slaver with the black mohawk runs a secret mining operation. They can be found in the passages to the East.
Part 4 - The Slaves.
The Party move forward and find a blocked passageway, through gaps in the salt-rock they see pathetic miners in chains working the salt. Although they could break through this crude barricade, they would lose the element of surprise, so they find an alternative entrance behind a locked gate. Avon picks the lock, sneaks in, spots a large brutal-looking man with a mohawk, and shoots him from the shadows. A quick fight starts with another guard quickly coming to the Brutes' aid. However, the Heroes soon overwhelm the big man. Acheron decapitates him and the other guard surrenders.
The prisoner confesses all. Master Salter Theodic Tatying has set up this operation and been selling the salt in the black market to the church of Morgath directly. He has been fraudulently adjusting the books. Avon considers taking over this operation. However, Acheron, whose warlock patron Mendiz would never approve of such a duplicitous action, convinces him to act honestly.
Acheron then buries the bones of the dead slaves and performs a burial service. The next day he reenters the mine and finds the ghosts have been vanquished.
Part 5 - The Resolution.
The Heroes return to Imrium and confront Master Salter Theodic Tatying. Acheron takes on the brute's appearance and walks into Theodic's office, and is greeted warmly. Theodic assumes the Brute killed the party and offers him a bonus. He is arrested by the Gerium Legion, tried for fraud and tax evasion by the local Magistrate, and sentenced to life in slavery with all his assets forfeit. He will spend the rest of his life working in one of the Mustburn's salt mines.
Senator Zanek enters into a business arrangement with Avon as agreed. Acheron convinces the Senator to free the slaves and pay a reasonable sum as compensation to the slaves for their plight, although most enter the Senator's employment as free workers.
To be continued...
NPC Interactions
Master Salter Theodic Tatyin.
Imitar, the Sculptor the Salt Sculptor.
Challenges Overcome
Drove off a Wyvern.
Avon negotiated a deal with Senator Musbern.
Acheron laid to rest 3 Desiccating Ghosts.
Rescued 7 slaves and defeated 1 Champion and 1 Swashbuckler.
Rewards.
Avon acquired a 10-year business deal.
Related Reports
Clan Musbern.
Player Character Status
Acheron - Human - Level 6 Paladin and Level 3 Warlock Disciple of Mendiz.
Sabretooth - Unique Ivashu - Level 5 Ivashu Lord Barbarian, Level 3 Monk, and Druid level 1.
Avon - Half-Elf - Level 9 Thief.
Avon
Acheron
Sabretooth
NPC Companions
Chameleo
Sabretooth's Ivashu Companion.
Moneypenny
Avon's able assistant
Comments