In Saltmarsh
Chapter 1: Seraphina Shows Up
As we discuss going to the Constabulary to tell Captain Eleander about the trip to Warthalkeel and meeting the slavers on the way back to Saltmarsh, Nevil tells us that she is not comfortable with making that visit with us. She is worried that her being there might bring harm to the group. She says that when she has helped before it brought her into conflict with the local government and doesn’t want any past issues to impact us.
While still at the Greenleaf’s Nevil talks with Atalaya and Boz.
As we get ready to leave Seraphina shows up and happily greets Nevil. The rest of us are shocked. Our mouths hang open with surprise. When Nevil returns the greeting she calls Seraphina, “Poppy.” A name that Atalaya recognizes from her discussions with Nevil during the trip to and from Warthalkeel.
Once Atalaya recovers enough to ask questions, Seraphina says that she is in Saltmarsh because there was information and “certain factors” that she needed to look into so she came here. She does reassure Atalaya that Joan is still in Parabor looking after the house. Cirilli is very happy to see Seraphina
Seraphina is very interested in everything that we can tell her about the slavers.
Vasilya, quietly comments in Atalaya’s ear, “I think she knows everything.”
Nevil asks Atalaya, Vaz and Cirilli how long we have known Seraphina. Vasilya replies that he has known her for several years and that she is like a mother to him. With a twinkle in his eye he adds, “And I met her in jail.”
He gets serious and turns the questioning back on her. “How do you know Seraphina… or should I say Poppy?” he asks Nevil.
Nevil says that Poppy tells her when a good hand could be needed. “How did you meet her?”
Boz: “I met Seraphina in jail.”
Nevil says something there having been a lot of murders here. She starts listing prominent people who have died relatively recently. The list includes:
The Master, (Elaria)
Alcaeus
Emerald Enclave Member
And Ailwin was injured but recovered.
Nevil shares with the group that the Red Wizards and Constabulary went after her family. Nevil is a new name that she is using to help distance herself from what happened before. She use to go by the name of Magrim when she was engaging in activities with the Harpers.
At this point we (or at least Atalaya) take Nevil to a private room upstairs and explain about The Eye and our mission to destroy it for the Master.
We leave the room, go down to the main floor, get Cirilli to join us and head to the Temple of Procan.
Chapter 2: Meeting with Father Brinehanded
Once we get there, we talk with Father Brinehanded. We tell him all about what happened in Warthalkeel. Atalaya attempts to give him the remain water breathing potions, saying that not as many went as we had originally planned on. Father Brinehanded returns the potions to Atalaya saying that they are part of his payment to us. He also gives us 100 gp for closing the portal.
We give him the Procan relics that we acquired in the ruins.
Father Brinehanded asks if we require any healing services. We assure him that we have recovered from our adventures in Warthalkeel. He says the will provide us Healing services if they are needed.
He does give us information. He says that the deep Scions could shape shift here or in Seaton. “They are always evil.” The explains that they were people who were stolen from the shore or sailing ships. They are offered the bargain to drown or become deep scions. A magic transformation takes place to transform them into deep scions. They have no loyalty or empathy for their past life. He adds that they are most likely loyal to the Kraken god now. He reminds us again that they are shapeshifters.
He tells us the Cultists we saw were most likely members of the Society of Tentacles. They want to call forth the Kraken again and apologize (for leaving the worship of Vaalastrom and turning to Procan before Warthalkeel sank into the sea).
We leave Father Brinehanded and head to the grove to see Farrin.
Chapter 3: Meeting with Farrin
We make our way to the woods north of the Greenleaf estate. We enjoy walking in sunshine and pleasant weather. It is a peaceful and pleasant walk to the grove. As we get close to Farrin’s home we see a really big Bullfrog..
Nevil: “Hello?”
Atalaya: Asks, “Is Farrin around?”
Atalaya starts following the bullfrog, who leads us to Farrin.
Farrin is glad to see us. He tells us that he has the money for that he promised us. He hands a rather heavy money pouch to Atalaya. He says that the reward comes from the Town Council and the Merchants (the Greenleafs, Anders and some from Galen, “the cheap bastard”
Farrin has heard rumors of piracy and that people have escaped from slavers. He also tells us that a couple of fishing boats have gone missing.
Farrin also tells about some trouble between the Dwarves and the people in the town. He dwarves run a mine near town. They seem to be getting the blame (for ???)
Farrin says that people (as slaves) are being moved through Saltmarsh.
We talk about the Deep Scion that we fought at Warthalkeel. We ask Farrin to keep an eye out for any in this area. Farrin remarks that he may be able to get us some money for killing them.
Nevil thanks Farrin for sending her to look for Atalaya’s group of adventurers.
The reward from the town was 3,000 gp
From Farrin’s home we make our way to the constabulary office looking for Captain Eleander.
Chapter 4: Meeting with Captain Eleander
We approach a 60 foot tall tower. The tower looks very old. It’s a first defense of Saltmarsh.
We approach the guard house. Captain Eleander is there. He is asking about a sunken boat, The Marshal. It had missionaries (of St. Cuthbert of the Cudgel). He says that the ship was attacked, by slavers or other cults. Statue on board and a dagger is a magic item. The ship may have been attacked by the Cult of Vecna. It is said to be a dagger used to twist souls of those on the boat and to turn them into something else. Vecna, a very unredeemable evil god, is the enemy of Cuthbert.
Eleander: “We need to find the Marshall.” He says that it went down near here. They know about this because they have one of the leaders of the Cult and are holding him for murder. They know that the dagger is still on the boat. Captain Eleander pulls out a map and shows us an area where the ship went down.
Nevil asks the Captain what he would do if we find the dagger. He says he would talk to Father Brinehanded about it to figure out how to destroy it.
We leave there and show Nevil our boat, the Hond Ebrarth. While there we talk to Annie, ask her to get a crew together. Tell her to be careful, that there are Deep Scions/shapeshifters in the area. Tell her we are looking for The Marshall. Annie says that she will find the crew plus extra to account for the decreased size of the party.
At the Wicker Goat (Tavern). The place is “pretty nice,” and is a quiet place. There are several people here. A chess game is being played in the corner by a female dwarf and a blacksmith. There are 4 others at tables. They are speaking in “kind of” low voices.
We overhear guys talking. One says that the he doesn’t trust the tiefling captain. “I don’t trust her.”
Atalaya believes that they are talking about Captain Zandros.
They are ranting about current events. “Freaking dwarves … stirring up trouble…. Will cause a problem.
The dwarf in the corner is getting agitated.
Boz: “If they break into a fight my money is on the dwarf.”
Both chess players look over, look tired and go back to their game.
Sorrow: “The dwarves are kind of newish in town. So they blame them. You know how it is.
The dwarf who is in the tavern is in charge of the mine. There are people in the twon that don’t want things to change and others that would like it to grow bigger…
Nevil tries to figure out the man’s reasoning/motivation. She decides that it is lazy thinking.
The men look like fishermen and they are into their cups. They are being loud and aggressive with their conversation.
Nevil goes over to the table with the fishermen and order’s another round of drinks. She asks them to tell her more.
They say, “We are honest fisherman. We earn an honest day’s pay for an honest day's work.
Nevil asks them where the fish they catch goes.
They say that they sell it to Captain Zandros.
They (the dwarves?) don’t care about this town. They don’t have families in this town. They don’t have a bond to this town.
Nevil continues to talk to them trying to persuade them to take a better view of the dwarves. She tells them that she is a priestess of Eldath.
One of the fisherman “squares” himself in his chair.
Nevil calls out that the next round of drinks is on her.
Fisherman thanks Nevil for the drink.
Dwarf woman comes over to Nevil and thanks her for her words. She orders a round of drinks for our table. Her name is Manistrad Copperlocks. She tells us, “I run the mines. We are here by the crown’s leave. We spend money here. I the crown sees this place as a lucrative place they will put more resources into it. … The crown has what we need.” She invites Nevil to visit her here or at the mines.
Atalaya agrees to send Manistrad’s regards to Ivar when/if she sees him.
We return to the Greenleaf’s estate.
Chapter 5: At the Greenleaf Estate
Atalaya asks Cirdan about Aiko. He says that a female guard came by to talk to her.
Atalaya asks him how much Ivar has told him about what we had been up to.
Cirdan says, “Quite a bit.” He adds that “Regardless whether the Eye is here or not, there is a presence of Vecna here.
Atalaya summarizes their involvement with The Eye, the Pack of Lich, and the Red Wizards. She says that Captain Eleander told us about there being members of the Cult of Vecna in the vicinity.
Cirdan expresses that he is aware of the cult members around Salt Marsh regardless of whether or not The Eye is here. He assures us that he and his family are able to defend themselves and to not worry about them. He restates that we are welcome in his house.
