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Blacklock's hand passes right though the smuggler's illusion of hair! The disguised wizard and Blacklock stare into each other's eyes for a heartbeat.
Woah! The kid did it again!!
Argyri gasps in surprise, and then joins the fray.
Badger laughs at the kids antics and then his face blanches mouth agape at the revelation. He shakes off the shock draws his blades, "Surrender so we can quit killin, ya." Badger moves to where he can garuntee Argyri flanking if she doesn't have it.
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Tarn swung for the wizard's head, but pulled back at the last moment when Badger called out for the mage to surrender. Were they taking him alive or killing him? The momentary confusion caused the dwarf to stare in befuddlement.
Dru will move as fast as she can to where Blackrock is.
When Blacklock reveals the ruse, Kwin steps back. He sheathes his sword and says "You will tell us what we want to know, or this will be the end for you." His hands start to dance with radiant fire as he waits for an answer.
The smuggler-looking deck wizard raises his hands and surrenders, "this is not worth dying for." You remove his component pouch and secure his hands behind his back. By this time, the unconscious prisoners start wake up.
With whole of the Sea Ghost secure, Argyri the sailor takes command. She asks your two guards who rowed you to the ship aboard and secures your jolly boat to follow at the stern. With the extra hands, she starts showing everyone what to do to get the ship under way. By dawn you arrive at Saltmarsh as the fishers are putting to sea for the day.
During the return trip, you learn the following things from the prisoners:
1. In addition to contraband, the smugglers are providing weapons to a colony of lizardfolk.
2. The lizardfolk colony is located within ten miles of Saltmarsh.
3. This weapon smuggling appears to have been going on for some months.
4. The smugglers have been very successful. Their main source of income is the sale of stolen goods, especially those marked with a royal seal or similar identifier that would make dealing with legitimate merchants impossible. They also take in goods from ships they have waylaid, usually spices, weapons, poisons, and other contraband that is either illegal or heavily taxed in this region. Currently, the ship's hold is crowded with mining equipment and kegs of brandy stolen from a royal shipment meant for a crown-sponsored mining operation in this region, along with silks that were originally destined for a royal trade mission.
By the time you dock, you see the Town Council where the dock meets the land waiting for you. Eda Oweland is the current senior member of the town council, as well as the owner of three large fishing boats. Gellan Primewater is a well-spoken, dapper older gentleman with a neatly trimmed beard and a fancy wardrobe. Eliander Fireborn fought in the royal army of Keoland, where he earned a name driving the wild things of the Dreadwood away from the settled lands and suffered a tremendous injury to his leg in a battle against an owlbear and now walking upon a finely carved wooden peg. And last but not least, Manistrad Copperlocks, the leader of the newly established mining operation in Saltmarsh, is an iron-willed dwarven woman.
Badger looks at Blacklock but after a moment shakes his head, "You know Kimbertos Skotti king of Keoland . . . the country . . . where you live." He chuckles a bit. "As ya get older you might want to know where yer taxes go and whether they spend it well."
"Where is your spell book? Can I see it?"Dru asks the wizards she looks at him as the voyage goes.
With the King and kingdom part Dru shrugs." Don't feel bad I forget all the time Lock. Though I don't remember much of my past?" She comments as she looks at the sea and wonders what fish she could get from this ship.
"In my quarters." The wizard replies with as much dignity as he can muster.
You found his spellbook when you searched his quarters here.
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Argyri puffs with pride as she captains the Sea Ghost back to town, teaching her friends how to sail.
"Not bad, Kid. You've got a knack for sailing...though if you learn not to overcorrect for the wind you won't have the from heeling so much to the side. Look like this..."
When they get back to shore, she can't help be think of the Sea Ghost as her boat.
Well...OURS, at least. I wonder if they'll care to keep sailing her? I wouldn't mind a bit more adventure on the seas. Then I really WILL be something like Dyzziq the Dashing!
"Yo, councillors! And all our gathered fans! I'm pleased to announce that Argyri's Argonauts have defeated the foul smugglers, who have not only been stealing our town's hard-made wares but also have been arming a lizardman colony for war, not ten miles from here. Thanks to our heroic heroicism though, their threat has ENDED.
"You may be particularly happy to know we've recovered mining equipment and kegs of brandy stolen from a royal shipment meant for a crown-sponsored mining operation in this region, along with silks that were originally destined for a royal trade mission. Copperlocks, you been missing any mining equipment shipments?"
During the trip back to town Badger hones in the news about the lizardfolk. "Wise man tellin' what ya know. Yer gonna need to talk about the details of these lizard folk." He listens getting as much detail about where they are, how big a tribe, and what purpose arming the lizardfolk served. "I mean what reason are sea princes and men of fortune sharing fortune with the lizardfolk. Ya don't seem like the charity types."
Once back near port Badger smiles with Argyri's announcements that they are the Argonauts. He reaches over and taps Tarn, "I suppose it has a ring more pleasing that the Tarnations."
He hops to the dock to secure one of the lines. "Captain Fireborn, room in the cells and perhaps on the block will need to be cleared. We've prisoners. Some who surrendered some who survived their stupidity."
During the trip back to town Badger hones in the news about the lizardfolk. "Wise man tellin' what ya know. Yer gonna need to talk about the details of these lizard folk." He listens getting as much detail about where they are, how big a tribe, and what purpose arming the lizardfolk served. "I mean what reason are sea princes and men of fortune sharing fortune with the lizardfolk. Ya don't seem like the charity types."
In this interrogation, Badger discovers that the smugglers are certainly not a charity. The chest of 10 electrum ingots worth 100 gp each in the captain's quarters was half of the payment for the weapons in the secret cache. And, the other chest of 10 electrum ingots worth 100 gp each in the three lizardfolk's quarters was the other half of the payment for the weapons in the secret cache upon delivery.
They saw at least a dozen warriors and three joined them, due to the lack of trust.
Captain Tarn came down after Argyri. Granted he didn’t do any of the sailing, but he had a Captain’s Hat which he had taken from a dead smuggler, so it was as official as could be. As they docked he pulled the hat off to waive it to the people. He opened his mouth, a big grin on his face…and then stopped dead in his tracks. Argyri's Argonauts?! Why not Tarn’s Tarnations? He hadn’t thought about it but it had a perfect ring to his ears. He wanted to protest, but the half elf was in full swing, regaling the townsfolk with their exploits. Unsure of what to do he turned towards his clan leader, confident that he could at least report to her. But the swashbuckler had easily and smoothly transitioned into reporting the mining equipment. Feeling slighted he stood stock still for a moment before he took the hat and tossed it into the water. Sailing was for elves and smugglers, he decided at that exact moment. It was not a profession for someone as honorable as himself. Why, it was downright above him! He was a miner by trade, not some…some…floating…something disreputable! Whatever that might be. He hadn’t thought it quite through yet. But the core of it was there. He told himself that he wasn’t being petty because there was nothing to be petty about. No, he just had his head on straight.
Grunting a noncommittal reply to Badger he stomped his way down to his clan leader and said ”Getting a drink. Can answer any questions they haven’t said afterwards.” Then, looking back he called out in common ”Oi! Blacklock! I’m gonna go get so hammered that I can’t walk straight. Come on, and let’s see if some strong drink doesn’t unlock more magic in ye! And bring the wee dragonling too. Let’s see if ye getting drunk effects it. Ye know…for science!”
* Gellan Primewater scoffs at the mention of the king. .
* Eliander Fireborn nods at the mention of the king owing him true loyalty.
* Manistrad Copperlocks nods at the mention of the king owing him (or at least some courtiers) her position
The councilors smile in various forms listening to the report. Eliander speaks first, "Well done! Lizardfolk? You will be well rewarded and celebrated."
Then, Gellan shouts, "Down with smugglers!" Which is echoed by the surrounding townsfolk of Saltmarsh with, "hurrah!"
After the shouting celebrations die down, Eda steps forward as speaks as the senior councilor and says, "it's dawn. You look like you haven't slept. Let Fireborn take custody of the ship and prisoners, and go get some sleep."
"Or, I'll buy you drinks and breakfast at the (Wicker) Goat!" offers Manistrad with a wink at Tarn.
Manistrad cheers to the owner of the Wicker Goat, "Lankus! Start the grills and taps." The iron-willed dwarven woman leads you up to the two-story building.
Along the way, she puts her arm around Tarn on the way up and whispers, "Tell me about everything when we're alone."
"Arming a lizardfolk force so close to Saltmarsh... that sounds like a recipe for disaster." He looks to the others. "I am new to Saltmarsh, and do not know the town and its people. But we need to do what we can to get them to prepare in case it means the worst."
Kwin watches with interest as the members of the group go about taking care of the contents of the ship and informing their particular mentors of what is going on. He shakes his head a little and the seeming divisions.
He quietly tells Badger "If there is something an outsider can say or do to help, let me know. I do not know the personalities here."
Drusilla will shrug."That is good to know, but for notoriety's sake. However, we will still have Tarn as our leader, right? Or now that this ordeal is over we could elect another?"
Drusilla cups the Wizard's spellbook looks about the goods, pools all the stolen goods together, and then pools the gear they can possess to sort through. After that, she will nod to the council.
"I believe we have separated the goods that were pirated from the non-pirated or at least ones that can't be viably claimed. I say we transfer what we can into smaller increments distributed it between ourselves and mayhaps establish a base of operations. Maybe the Ship? Maybe The old Alchemist's house maybe both? It could benefit the town greatly to make sure we keep both" She logically said hoping The others will see some of the logic of it. To think of a possible private dock, under their control and a rest stop for the Miners and supplies between the town and the Mines. They could profit greatly and keep themselves far enough away from town but still available should they be needed.
Eda Oweland steps forward another step. "Drusilla, right? Fireborn and his guards will inventory the smuggler's ship. He'll probably find a manifest. He's resourceful."
She smiles, "while the royal laws of the sea are clear with the salvage of proven smugglers, your claims to the old alchemist's house are tenuous. However, we'll consider your ideas."
Argyri glows with the attention from the council and surrounding crowd...and then looks over at Tarn.
Running to catch up, she says more quietly "Hey wait! Sorry, I just got carried away by the moment, but you're still our leader. And anyway, if the ship is the Sea Ghost, maybe we should be the Fantasmanauts. What do you all think?"
Dwarves were known for many things, stubbornness being key among them. But Tarn was not that kind of dwarf. With a big bushy smile born out of an assuaged pride he said ”I think that the sea be no place for me. When on water, ye make a find captain. Now come, join us for a few dozen drinks and mayhaps we can come up with some good names. Though ‘fanstastic-hots’ or whatever, eh, sounds fine to me.”
"Fantastic-hots, sounds like a bad pleasure house. I garuntee." He shrugs, "Walking, rowing, killing, sailing, I recon whatever else its time for drinking. Let's get drinks while the discount price is on."
Drusilla hugs the spellbook and looks at the others."I'm not much a drinker, but I will come and study" She says timidly as she seems a person out of place here. Though her outfit would seem to show otherwise.
And they would talk of the breakfast celebration for years to come.
That night, you all receive invitations for supper to hear about your adventure. Eliander Fireborn invites Badger to his house.
Manistrad Copperlocks has a private supper with the Tarn at the Goat.
Eda Oweland asks Drusilla to her mansion for supper.
Gellan Primewater invites Argyri.
Anders Solmor invites Blacklock.
Wellgar Brinehanded invites Kwin to the Temple of Procan.
"This ship is a great asset. What you do with it, if I could persuade the Council to give it to you?"
"Are you starting a mercenary company? I can have the documents prepared. Need all of your names and a name for the company. I'll affix my seal as a witness after you sign it."
"If the princes do something, it probably will not be official or a consensus."
After a few minutes, the butler returns with a tumbler of brandy that he hands to Blacklock before kneeling down in front of him to rebandage the wound, such that he wouldn't have blood cleaned from the floor or furniture later.
Once bandaged, the butler escorts you to a sitting room in front of a fireplace and announces you to the master of the house, Anders Solmar. "Master Blacklock, sir." He helps you to a comfortable leather chair next to the lord of the house.
Drusilla wondered what to wear, but instead of going out and getting some finery, she used prestidigitation to clean up her regular clothes. So in her oil-slicked coat with green lace and old but well-kept robes from when she woke the fisher wizard arrived with a warm smile.
"A Pleasure as always Eda, did you want to speak about the mission or did you want to talk about the upcoming silverfin season? I know the area of the Alchemists' place has potential. I would recommend you secure fishing rights." Drusilla says as she made sure she wasn't brandishing her sword. It was something new, but something Eda probably wouldn't like.
'As for the group, I think we could use our gains and the ship to maybe protect Saltmarsh better. Though honestly am wondering what the Lizardfolk wanted with the weapons that the summoners were providing." Dru admitted as she looked away from the human woman, trying not to show she was slightly embarrassed.
"Returning those who the seas have claimed is a noble calling. My god too would see the righteousness of helping those souls finish their journeys. My friends and I are not yet decided what we shall do with the Sea Ghost. If we do set out, perhaps we can seek out some of the wrecks you've found clues towards."
"Yes, I'm wondering why the lizardfolk are preparing for war, too."
On the third evening after returning to Saltmarsh, you are invited to a meeting with the town council. Besides Kwin, you all see an ally among the town councilors.
After introductions, Eliander Fireborn describes that the maps found on the Sea Ghost tentatively identified that the site of the lizardfolk colony as a coastal promontory adjacent to a small river, the Dunwater, some ten miles southwest of Saltmarsh. They consider it essential that a scouting party be sent to reconnoiter the area and ascertain the strength and size of this colony, as well as the intentions of the lizardfolk.
Eda Oweland, the senior leader of the council, impresses upon you that you are not required to act with hostile intent—in fact, quite the opposite. Their assignment is one of information gathering, with the additional hope that they can return with knowledge of what the lizardfolk are up to. A reward of 700 gp is offered for the successful completion of the mission.
They offer you the use of the Sea Ghost until your royal commission as an official mercenary company is approved. Salvage rights will award the ship to your company allowing you to share as you wish. Foreborn assigns the same two guards who rowed you out to the Sea Ghost to accompany you and stay with the ship. In addition, Oceanus, the sea elf who you rescued, volunteers to accompany you, too.
The secretary of the council shows you several copies of the application for the royal commission missing your names and the name of the company. He offers you pen and ink to sign the documents.
Badger looks at the others and pours over a map of the region. "From the description that's a lot closer to the coast than it is hard ground. We've use of the boat. That would save us time and effort. Trekking west through the swamp is a rougher trail." He looks a moment. "We might want to pay a slightly larger crew. If the lizard folk village is near the coast. The boat isn't invisible. Once we are off the boat . . . not much stopping the lizard folk from visiting the ship especially if they see it as the ship of their allies."
Eliander nods at Badger's comments, "I can assign another five guards to ship if you think that would be best."