Crimes of James Wavebreaker

Pieces of Eight's Involvement in the Plot

While the Pieces of Eight were investigating the Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh and the Danger at Dunwater, another much darker plot was developing around them. People in Saltmarsh were going missing at an alarming number. This was secretly one of the main reasons the Town Council of Saltmarsh formed the Pieces of Eight in the first place. However, the party itself was not privy to the dissapearances until after they returned from the Alchemist's haunted mansion. The disappearances affected each party member on a personal level since they each knew a victim closely. They were unable to investigate these dissapearances immediately due to other obligations, but agreed to focus on them after they dealt with the Danger at Dunwater.

Eyrs Thonich's Investigations

The day before the Pieces of Eight departed, a female drow named Eyrs Thonich arrived in Saltmarsh aboard the Bold Victory. Her mentors Iradole and Mabel, leaders in the Order of the Lycan, had sent the necrolafanthrope to investigate the dissapearances and the suspected involvement of the Scarlet Brotherhood. Eyrs, trained for years under Zararuk, and was prepared for her first solo mission. She walked into the Empty Net and met Kreb Shenker, who's brother Jeb was missing. Shortly after Eyrs met a pair of gnome twins, they were also missing one of their brothers - Yeros - and were looking for a fourth brother - Zangrim - to ask him about it. Eyrs helped them find Zangrim, and was about to approach him herself when she saw something that felt wrong - a man transporting two prisoners. Unsure of why, Eyrs lurked behind this man following him to a shack on the secluded edge of Saltmarsh. Eyrs didn't fully understand it at the time but she felt the presence of undeath surrounding the man. Her stealth proved wise, as the brooding man chopped down the defenseless prisoners with a dark glaive, transforming them into an ashen mist. He collected a few things from the ground and left, while Eyrs stayed at a distance. When he had left, Eyrs investigated the shack and learned it belonged to Zulynn Heartwind. She followed this lead in the center of town, learning of Zulynn Heartwind and the family tragedy that had befallen her and her stepson, ex-captain James Wavebreaker. Before long, Eyrs' investigations were interuptted by an explosion. She stalked closer to the sound, an noticed Zangrim - the gnome from earlier - approaching the sound as well. Unsure of how involved with the crimes this gnome was, Eyrs kept her distance. She followed Zangrim hoping to get a lead on the killer, though she was momentarily distracted by another somewhat unrelated kidnapping. Eyrs' intuition was correct again, and Zangrim led her to the killer. She did not lose track of him again. Eyrs followed him all the way to another shack where he invited a woman. Eyrs listened carefully and determined that the killer was James Wavebreaker and the woman was Zulynn Heartwind. Eyrs feared for Zulynn's life and was relieved when Zulynn left unharmed. This relief was shortlived as Eyrs watched Wavebreaker pull a bound man from beneath his bed and reduce his form to ash. Eyrs was about to go to the authorities, when a loud sound threatened to give away her position. She investigated that quickly, before returning to the Empty Net to collect her thoughts and form a plan. The following morning, after a brief chat with a rouge who knew Wavebreaker, Eyrs chatted with Eliander Fireborn - captain of the guard - and told him everything she saw. He was disturbed by the allegations, but after finding Wavebreaker's trophies and talking to Xolec the vampire, Eyrs and Eliander formed a plan to confront Wavebreaker.

The Trials of James Wavebreaker

When they returned from Dunwater the party's hexblade warlock, James Wavebreaker, was arrested by the captain of the town guard Eliander Fireborn. James' stepmother, Zulynn Heartwind, was also taken into protective custody. The party spent a week trying to get answers. Vencyne's new powers of mediumship, led her to the trophies in Eliander's home. These trophies had been relocated from Wavebreaker's shack but Vencyne was unaware of this, and so suspected that Eliander was the true killer. Klearic's subsequent vision futhered this suspiscion and so the Pieces of Eight came together to confront Eliander at Wavebreaker's scheduled execution. Vencyne and Klearic declared confidently that James was being framed and that Eliander was the true killer. This confusing accusation floored Eliander, allowing Wavebreaker an opening to escape his manacles and flee the town on the Sea Ghost.

Resolution

Wavebreaker was responsible for most of the missing people in Saltmarsh. His collection of trophies revealed more than 20 victims. Nearly all of the victims were absorbed into the Grave Glaive. The full list of victims and the trophies taken from them, can be found here. By the time the mystery was solved Wavebreaker turned on the party and escaped Saltmarsh.

Parent Plot

Fixing the Broken Wave

Related Characters