Session 24 - Joining the Band Report

General Summary

Waterday - 12 Ready'reat (Evening)

As the bodies are dragged away, Kyra calls upon her mystical winged boots to send her aloft looking for the remaining brigand. She manages to spot him as he runs around Primewater's Mansion and then heads eastward along the docks. She drifts closer as he runs between the Fishmonger's plants and a dock house. She waits a few minutes, then settles back down to ground when he fails to reappaer, stating, "The last guy ran over to the packing plants where he disappeared. He's probably long gone by now."
Fireborn acknowledges the information then pointedly glances over at the animated zombie body and asks Kyra, "What's with this guy?"
Nonchantly Kyra nonchalantly answers, "It's Bill."
"At least, he seems to respond to that," Nar adds.
"I don't know his name," Kyra continues, "from beforehand that is."
Shaking his head in disbelief Fireborn warns, "I'd be careful around the townsfolk. I'm not sure they'd understand."

Nodding Kyra suggests that everyone head inside for dinner and she'll take care of Bill. Nar immediately questions, "You're not going to hurt Bill are you? He's one of us now."
"I promise he won't feel any pain and I want to ensure that he sees the beautiful moon," Kyra consoles. As Nar heads into the Snapping Line, Kyra walks Bill, the zombie, out to sea. As he drops below the waves, Kyra summons the arcane energies to launch four mystical darts that unerringly strike Bill easing him back into his endless slumber.
Within the Snapping Line, the party finishes their meal then head to their rooms for a long quiet rest.

Earthday - 13 Ready'reat

In the morning, the party gathers at the breakfast table and Kyra shares, "Yesterday afternoon I had a discussion with Fireborn and he strongly believes that there is a large smuggling operation within Saltmarsh. More importantly, he's gravely concerned that a council member may be involved somehow."
"Wait!" Nar interrupts, "Aren't you against him? Are you saying that we should trust him now?"
Kyra calmly replies, "I'm saying we should investigate. If we keep taking orders from the council we need to know who's corrupt. And that attack last night was immediately after I talked to Fireborn. It could be a coincidence, but that's very interesting timing. I say we head over to Fireborn and have another chat."
The party finishes their breakfast and heads across the Sharkfin Bridge before turning north and finding a haggard Fireborn within the Barracks and Jail conversing with Kraddok.
Kyra greets him, "Good morning. Did you not sleep well?"
Fireborn looks up with a smile, "Sleep? No I didn't get much sleep last night. We were scrutinzing these imposters. Let me start by stating these are our uniforms. They are legit uniforms, but they don't belong to the persons wearing them. We didn't find anything identifying on them, just some local silver pieces and their run of the mill weapons that could've been bought anywhere. We think these uniforms disappeared at the washers. Looking back through records we've noted on rare occassions when a shirt or pants goes missing compared to what was left with the washer. Nothing obvious or we'd have been searching earlier. Unfortunately, though, It doesn't really lead us anywhere."
Suddenly, a city guard bursts through the door, "Captain! They've found him! The body I mean. Rather the last faker's body has been found, murdered. Come with me and I'll show you."
Fireborn grabs his sword and rushes out the door with the party following him. They pass back across Sharkfin bridge through the town square and over to the fishmonger's plant where they are lead down an alleyway behind it. Sprawled out with limbs akimbo rests the body brigands' leader in a pool of dried blood.
Karia immediately inspects the body and surrounding area. She quickly discovers that there are multiple scorch marks against the chest of the body and a single stab wound into the left temple. She then opens the mouth discovering that the tongue has been cut out and removed. Curiously there are no weapons on the body, but she does find fifty gold coins stamped with the head of skull on him. Finally, Karia follows a trail of human sized boot prints back to the main road where they turn west toward the square before being obscurred within the bustle of additional footsteps over them. Returning to the alley, Karia quickly divulges her discoveries with the group.
Adlia quips, "Well someone didn't want this guy talking."
Kyra asks Fireborn, "Do you recognize this currency?"
"I've never seen a country's currency such as this. It seems odd to use a skull as a marker," replies Fireborn. "We'll let you know if we find anything else of interest."
The Try-hard Misfits decide it's lunch time and head back to the Snapping Line for a quick meal. Upon entering the tavern, they see several sailors wearing ratty and torn clothing surrounding a large female half-orc. Several of these ruffians grab her arms and hands as another sailor shouts, "We don't like you half-breeds hanging out here. You should leave town."
Kyra yells, "Release her! You have no business here."
Several of the sailors look back and, recognizing the party, begin to disperse, but the sailor who hurled the insults sneers, "Oh? And what will you do about it? This abomination isn't worth your time."
Nar strides forward menancingly, "You know who I am and you better release this person now or you'll face my bow!"
The sailor grudgingly releases the half-orc and starts to exit the tavern when Nar shouts at him," Don't you turn your back on me!" while firing an arrow soldily into his shoulder.
He turns about with the fury of gods across his face until the half-orc slams her fist into his face, "You need to learn some manners." She then greets the party, "Thanks! I'm Wee Jane and I've come looking for you. I was thinking that you need a strong arm to join up."
Karia breaks into a large smile as she welcomes the new person, "Hello friend! It's good to meet you. I'm Karia."
Turning back toward the sailor, Nar asks, "Why'd you do this? Who put you up to it?"
"Some guys. They saw her disembark a ship from Redshore island and they said we should encourage her to leave," he responds. "I've never seen them before, but there you go. These few silver pieces aren't worth the trouble for a half-breed, that's for sure."
Suddenly a dwarf comes rushing into the tavern. He rapidly scans the room before his eyes settle on Karia and he strides over to her, "Oi! Copperlocks said to find ya and bring ya quick. Trouble at the mine. You comin'?"

The party quickly rushes out the door and down the eastern road toward the Dwarven Mine and eventually Seaton. Several hours elapse before the tall palisade surrounding the mine comes into view. Swooping above the defensive structure, a dragon-like creature swerves toward the party.
The party quickly spreads outward with Karia and Nar firing arrows into the creature as

Kyra blasts it with her arcane ball of fire. Adlia pleads to Ehlonna before guiding a brillant bolt into the creature. The flying menace dives toward Wee Jane striking out with its claws and venomous tail plunging past her defenses. Wee Jane roars with defiantly with pain and pulls up her crossbow firing a bolt into the fleeing monster's wing as it arcs back toward the party. Kyra again summons forth her ball of fire blasting the creature with the fiery hell causing its wings to burst with flames as it crashes down to furrowing into the grass and dirt. The wyvern's body slides to a stop inches away from the party.
Karia quickly rushes toward the dead body and skins the wyvern, but in her rush she nicks the toxin pouch thereby ruining the pouch. Several dwarves rush out from the encampment with wild cheers and invite the party to a celebration dinner and to stay the night. The party enjoys the festivities and sleep within the confines of the encampment.

Freeday - 14 Ready'reat

In the morning the party heads back to Saltmarsh. Upon entering the town a city guard approaches. "Hail! Captain Fireborn has requested your presence at the jail."
The party heads through town and up to the barracks and jail where Fireborn greets them,

"Oh good you're back. Last night, a group of thieves, known as the Agile Hand, broke into Council Hall and stole Councilor Primewater's painting of King Skotti. He paid a lot of money for that piece (and won't let anyone forget it) and has been incensed since learning of the theft. We did manage to capture their lookout last night, but the rest of the criminals got away onto a ship that cut its moorings and left during the night. We've been interrogating him and he's hand drawn a map of their headquarters." Passing the map over to Kyra, he continues, "Are you up for this? I know it's not as glorious as saving the town, but it would be helpful if you could quietly and covertly recover the painting for Primewater. I stress covertly. We don't want a war with a thieves guild."
"I know this group," states Jane. "I've done some odd jobs for them and know where they are, but I've never been inside. This group operates out of Redshore. Their guild resides outside the city."

Rewards Granted

Experience Points:

Monsters: 460 xp/person
Roleplay 100/person

Total XP/Person: 560 xp


Treasure:
Wyvern's hide (medium grade)

Missions/Quests Completed

Met Wee Jane
Defeated Dwarven Mine threat
Determine 'City Guard' was hired by somebody

Character(s) interacted with

Eliander Fireborn

Related Reports

Session 23 - The Rising Tides Report
Session 25 - Pursuit of the Hand Report

Notes

Experience points calculation:

Wyvern 2,300 xp

2,300xp/5 players = 460 xp/person

Campaign

Secrets of the Saltmarsh

Protagonists

Report Date

08 Jan 2024

Primary Location

Saltmarsh