Session 31 - A Salty Homecoming Report
General Summary
Freeday - 21 Ready-reat - Noon
Yesterday the Try-hard Misfits raided the Agile Hand guildhouse stealing the sentient portrait of King Skotti before fleeing through the town of Redshore. They narrowly evaded pursuit among the roads and alleys of town then slipped through a blockade at the inlet. After a restful night upon the sea, they repelled an attack from a squad of Sahaugin and their marine allies, including a shark larger than any had seen. After the battle, Kyra and Adlia went over the side to harness materials from the shark's corpse. As Kyra and Adlia settle back down on deck, Capt O'Donahue swears, "Holy shit! Now that was a shark! I'm startin to believe you are cursed. We best be headin onward ere something else rises up." Glancing at the damaged hull planks, Jane quickly asks, "Is she seaworthy?" "Well, we're down a lad, may his soul find peace," replies O'Donahue, "but we'll make it, if Procan's temper holds." Wanting privacy and quiet, Kyra and Adlia head below decks where they pull the painting from their bag of holding. Concentrating, Kyra communes and attunes to the painting before asking a series of questions to determine who made it and what it might know. She quickly learns that it first hung within the Naval Operations command conference room where it served Viscount Rashal Eor of the Nume Eor region. The portrait's next partner was Guildmaster Dusk, so it has no knowledge of who brought it from Niole Dra to Saltmarsh and didn't even know the town's name. She does learn that the portrait did overhear someone talking about the Tryhard Misfits being expendable but useful. Frustrated with its lack of information regarding the council members, Kyra commands it to listen when it is returned and to reach out to her if someone else attempts to bond.Starday - 22 Ready'Reat - Morning
As the sun rises astern of the Sea Ghost, Karia yells from the crow's nest, "Disturbance to Port!" As the Sea Ghost slides closer to the agitated water, Karia calls again, "Merfolk! Hey! Oceanus!" The crew quickly lowers a rope ladder as Oceanus climbs aboard, "Well met! We're on our way to Saltmarsh for the inter-army training, but ran into a group of sahuagin just a bit south of here." She spends a few minutes catching up with the group before diving back into the Azure Sea to lead her squad inland. As the ship sails to port, the Saltmarsh dockmaster meets the Sea Ghost and directs her to a warf near Primewater Mansion where a small crowd gathers. Several children are waving from the docks, including Capt. O'Donahue's wife and children. He waves at them and the frowns. Noticing his reaction, Karia asks, "Not looking forward to your return?" Capt. O'Donahue shakes his head as he replies, "It will be good to see my family again, but Chad's family waits as well. It'll be sad news I be delivering before Ah greet me own children." As they stand against the railing, Chad's wife stops smiling as she frantically searches for her partner. As recognition sets in, her face droops and silent tears etch down her cheeks. Feeling her loss, Karia states, "Captain, we'd like to help his family. It won't change his death, but perhaps it may ease their lives. I'll chat with the others and we'll get a collection together within a day or two. Please pass along our condolences." "For adventurer types," O'Donahue respectfully concludes, "there be actual care for the aftermath of your chaos. Aye, I'll pass along your condolonces and let them know twasn't your fault." He then crosses the gangway as he approaches Sally, Chad's wife. Silently, Nar watches O'Donahue breaking the grim news to Sally. Tears roll down Nar's cheeks as Sally screams in horror before burying her face into O'Donahue's broad chest. He holds her tightly for a minute before heading toward his own wife and family while Sally and her kids glumly head back home. Striding up from below, Kyra encourages the party, "Before we hand this over to Primewater - played by Adam, let's go talk with Fireborn." Upon reaching the Barracks and Jail, the party finds Fireborn sitting at his desk leafing through various reports. Glancing up, he urgently asks, "Did you get it? Did you find the painting?" Kyra grabs an edge of the bag to pull a corner into view as she responds, "Yes. We got it, but Redshore's an absolute mess." The party quickly explains their harrowing escape and how the whole town seems to be in the employ of the Agile Hand guild. Fireborn quickly takes some notes and promises, "That's beyond my jurisdiction, but I'll get a note off to Duke Feldren in Seaton alerting him to the seriousness of your claim. We can't have such an important town ruled by an outside organization." Satisfied with the response, the Try-Hard Misfits, head back across Sharkfin Bridge and knock on the door for Primewater Mansion. Almost immediately, Alfred, the butler, escorts the party upstairs to Primewater's office where he greets them, "Welcome Misfits! You have good news for me?" Kyra responds, "No unfortunately, we have sad news. We didn't find the painting." Primewater angrily slams his mug to the ground and stands looking out the window as he roars, "What!! How could you not find it? I thought Fireborn told me that you knew exactly who took it! We must honor our king!" Kyra reaches into the limitless bag and slowly works the painting free. Primewater turns back toward the party, recognizes the painting and crows in joy, "Oh! You did find the portrait! I knew my faith in such upstanding adventurers would be well satisfied!" Nar speaks out, "No, I painted it! That's a Nar Sherekir original." Primewater smiles brightly as he replies, "This is magnificient! Nar you've done a fabulous job representing our king. It would be my honor to pay the original reward for this painting. Here's the five hundred as we agreed." Stepping outside, the group weighs options for the rest of the day. Kyra highlights, "We know there's corruption within the council, but we're not making progress on who it might be. I think we should concentrate on Primewater, Oweland, and Solmor. Copperlocks and Fireborn both appear as outsiders and don't seem to have the motivation for smuggling. I say we split up and stake out a councilor each. I'll head to Solmor's place unless someone has objections." Karia responds first, "I want to learn more regarding the lizardfolk and merfolk working together so I'm heading over to the training fields." Nar pipes up next, "I still don't trust Primewater, so I'll stay here and watch in case he decides to make a move." Adlia shrugs and states, "That leaves Oweland for me. Alright, let's all head out and circle back to The Snapping Line in time for dinner." Nar scales Primewater Mansion and hides alongside the bank of the large windows overlooking the inlet. While everyone else heads out. Karia works northward. Kyra and Adlia travel east along the docks. As they pass the Oweland House Adlia ducks behind a corner and watches the front door looking for suspicious visitors as Kyra continues onward toward the Solmor residence. Upon reaching the residence, Kyra quickly raps against the door. Skerrin Wavechaser answers, "Yes? How may the Solmors assist you today, my lady." "Councilman Solmor asked to chat with me," responds Kyra, "I finally have a bit of free time, so here I am." Skerrin inclines his head as he responds, "Follow me and we'll see if he has a bit of "free time"." As Kyra enters his office, Anders Solmor stands in greeting, "I'm pleased to see you. What brings you here?" "Several months back," responds Kyra, "you asked to get to know me better. I've been busy since then and have just now carved out some time. What did you want to ask me?" "Oh golly," Anders responds, "It's been so long, I don't remember. I know Skerrin suggested I get to know you better, but I don't remember the underling topics. I suppose that we have similarities in losing our parents. Did you even know yours?" The conversation idly goes back and forth on simple pleasantries, until Kyra broaches her real topic, "We've been searching for smugglers. We think a monumental event is about to occur. Do you know anyone smuggling?" "Ah. Smuggling. Most believe that it hurts no one and therefore smaller towns, like Saltmarsh, usually have several enterprises running from those trying to escape poverty. I've tried to discourage this both as a councilor and in the rates I pay my employees. I've been fortunate with the profits I make, so I reward the ships and crews with better pay. However, if you look back amongst our ancestors, almost every one of them have done some smuggling. Is there anything you know recently that could give me a lead?" After a few more minutes, the conversation ends and Kyra heads back outside. Meanwhile, Nar watches as Primewater summons Alfred to collect a few deckhands to transport the painting back to Council Hall. Once the painting leaves his office, Primewater buries himself leafing through papers and taking notes. No other visitor disturbs his efforts. At the same time, Karia climbs the hill where the Lizardfolk practice and walks up to Ihrtos and Oceanus. They interrupt their conversation to greet Karia and then explain how they are sharing tactics on fighting styles and squad communication suggestions. Back down on the docks, Adlia watches the Oweland residence for several hours. Leaning against the wooden wall of a building, her head bops as boredom and sleepiness settle. Suddenly, a tall elf comes running down the street with a cloak flowing out behind him as he quickly opens Oweland's door and heads inside.Rewards Granted
Experience Points:
Roleplay 300 xp
Retrieve the Portrait Quest 300 xp
Total 600 xp/player
Characters should be at 18,906 experience points
Next Level = 7 at 23,000 xp
Missions/Quests Completed
Retrieve the portrait of King Skotti
I see the glorious misfits have heard word of the rude and unpatriotic pilfering of my precious painting!
Character(s) interacted with
Capt O'Donahue
Eliander Fireborn
Gellan Primewater - played by Adam
Anders Solmor - played by Nancy
Skerrin Wavechaser
Alfred
Eliander Fireborn
Gellan Primewater - played by Adam
Anders Solmor - played by Nancy
Skerrin Wavechaser
Alfred
Related Reports
Session 30 - Escaping the Grasp of the Agile Hand Report
Session 32 - The Illithive Crab Report
Shark God Sigil
The Smuggling Ring in Saltmarsh
Smuggling Ring - Latest Lead
Eda Oweland's Request
Mina's Letter - the four Sigils
The Lizardfolk War
Session 32 - The Illithive Crab Report
Incomplete Quests:
Shark God Sigil
I think it's some shark god. Don't know much though.
The Smuggling Ring in Saltmarsh
I'm positive that there's a huge smuggling operation here in town and I'm convinced that someone on the council runs it.
Smuggling Ring - Latest Lead
Many threads intertwine. Ah, but yes I see a leader that has smuggled across my domain. Many times this has occurred. Owing land. No that's not right, Oweland is the name within my view.
Eda Oweland's Request
Fireborn has been acting weird for months now and I know he's hiding something from me.
Mina's Letter - the four Sigils
I saw three shields waver in front of the council.
The Lizardfolk War
War yes, but not with town. We battle Sahuagin who took our home.
