Badger nods to the lizard folk. He looks to Tarn, "They saw the signs of our fight with the Bullywugs. They are not allies."
He looks to the lizard folk warrior, and continues in draconic,
The lizardfolk shifts his stance leaning on his planted spear looking at each of the companions in turn. After a comfortable pause, he replies to Badger, ""Бұзақтар - рейдер. Олардың империясы батпақта тереңірек. Біз жағалауға жақын жерде тұрамыз."
Badger looks to Tarn, and speaks in common, "They don't want to talk about why they moved. It is a tense subject."
Badger nods at the Lizard folks words, and continues to speak.
[dice=Draconic]"If they are raiders we are glad will took some down. Though more remain."[/spoiler]
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Badger pulls forth the trinkets and jewelry he took from the Bullywugs, and tosses them to the lizard folk and speaks in draconic,
"I see" Drusilla says as she looks to Badger and then as she reads tells her companions what is said between Badger and the Lizard Folk.
Argyri–curious what's being said, but not wanting to interrupt snickers at Blacklock's antics.
When Drusilla translates, the swashbuckler raises an eyebrow. "OK, thanks for parlaying with them. Hopefully they can tell that we'd rather have them for allies than enemies."
"So, they recently moved, and are seeking weapons. Either they are running from something, or they ran into something when they moved to their current location."
"From the sounds of your talk with them, Badger, they were fine talking about the bullywugs but not the reason for moving? That makes it sound like it was something other than the bullywugs."
The lizardfolk effectively shrugs and pulls the trinkets and jewelry into a leather pouch.
"Territory is a safe as you can make it."
"Your kind do better beyond the marsh and raise spears against us when we leave the marsh."
Badger nods and continues in draconic,
Badger hears Blacklock's question mulls it a moment he even looks like he might speak before his shoulders shrink back he smiles warmly and looks at the lizard folk in a friendly manner,
Badger nods in the direction of Blacklock,
He looks to Argyri, "We had been dancing around that. Now its clearly said."
He nods at Kwin's words, "I think you are right. Bullywugs can be bribed. Even if they are not the root cause they might have been related. Whatever is deeper in the swamp. Has them shook. 'Territory is as safe as you can make it.' He said. Something beyond them made it unsafe. That's an admission even if its scant on story deets."
Badger sighs, "The lizard folk are gonna set a wider patrol perimeter. They likely did after our first visit but now our coming back means that they know we are investigating. Getting close to their village to get a look stealthy like is gonna be hard. At least for awhile. Maybe we can find a druid who can change shape to fly over." He shrugs. "Well we can see that at the very least the lizard folk don't mean us harm. At least not yet. That's worth reporting. Even if we haven't got a handle on how many of them there are."
The lizardfolk effectively shrugs again at Badger and replies,
"The marsh provides most of what we need, like material to make clothes, pouches, shields and spears, except good steel."
Badger likewise shrugs at the attacks, but then smiles as the warrior mentions the steel,
He sighs, and speaks seriously,
The lizardfolk stiffens and replies,
He pulls his spear from the mud and stalks off into the marsh. You see some movement at the limit of your vision of probably other lizardfolk moving to join him.
Badger shrugs, and says,
He watches as the stubborn warrior clamors off.
"Bah! Dern fools. Likely think our talk of peace is weakness." He looks at the others, "If they wanted try and kill us they could of. I don't think we need to fear them." He shrugs, "They aren't coming to the fish fry though."
"They see the humans, elves, dwarves and others as a single monolithic entity. Do we hold them accountable for what their kind do in the Troll Fens, or Pelisso Swamp? If we were to give them weapons or return their electrum now, they'd only see it as us fearing them, I believe. Alas, I think we've exhausted our options here. Perhaps Oceanus or his people could provide intelligence as to what it is they fear, and if their enemy is a threat to Saltmarsh as well."
Badger leads you out of the marsh and to your rendezvous point with the Sea Ghost.
After a few hours sail, you arrive back in Saltmarsh and are escorted with a bit of ceremony to the council chambers by the town guards. The councilors are hastily assembled but eager to hear your report.
Tarn marched straight over to Manistrad. "This needs a drink." He said, seriously. "Let's talk as we walk, aye?" Assuming that she accepted, he started to say:
Speaking in Dwarven"The entire mission? It's complicated. The lizardfolk? Their queen is as bad as they come. Several times it seemed like she was on the verge of ordering us all executed on the spot. Accused us of being thieves, murderers, you know, the usual crap." He spat on the ground, for emphasis.
Speaking in Dwarven"So we left their village and struck out into the marshes. The place is a hellhole. We got attacked by Bullywugs. Nasty, frog-like creatures. When they croaked, it felt like there was a cave-in inside my mind. We killed them, and came across a group of lizardfolk who weren't as unreasonable as their queen. Turns out that the Bullywugs are raiding them. From what we could uncover, there is something deeper in the shyt-hole that they call a home which is driving the Bullywugs towards them. Long story short? The lizardfolk are buying weapons, they are on edge, and they are going to be expanding their patrols."
Looking at her, as they arrived at her tavern of choice, he said Speaking in Dwarven"The lizardfolk? Horrible craftsmen, living in a horrible place, without anything of value that I can see. But like orcs, being backwards and useless with a pick doesn't meant that they aren't dangerous. The entire situation has trouble written all over it."
Opening the door, he switched to common. "Ale!" He called out. "Knee deep trecking in fookin' mud and bog-water has given me a thirst. Nay in the mood for anything watered down, aye?!"
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Badger finds Blacklock and manages a weak smile, "I am glad yer with us kid. I know I bust yer chops. Everybody let me know it when I crossed the line about your leg there. I hit ya below the belt on that one. Wasn't right. I'm sorry kid." He looks up at Blacklock, "Lots of folks take a wound like you got and drink and settle into work that just waits for old age and death. Not only did you get back up in the mix but you landed some heavy blows. I knew you had heart when I met you. But you keep going. I wanted you to use what ya had for to help folks and here you are. Busting up smugglers and pirates, now helping keep the town safe from what might be in the swamp. Glad yer with us." He holds out his arm for that sort of hand to forearm shake that rough warriors give each other.
Badger looks confused when Tarn starts talking about drinks and walking off. "Ahh well he's not wrong drinks would be good. Something that will make us forget the mud in our boots." With Tarn walking out with the Manistrad Badger looks to Argyri, and then the others "Should we start debriefing the council, give Captain a few minutes with his kin before we tell our tale?"
"I second the drinks, Claw Wine please!" She says with a bit of a smile, partially because she could see and talk with Hanna Rist! The human woman was infectious and Drusilla gravitated toward her.
"I mean if you wish I could write up a report?" Drusilla says as she goes back to her more or less expressionless face.
Manistrad will look surprised but depart with Tarn to get the information. They head to the Wicker Goat.
The rest of the councilors (Eda Oweland, Gellen Primewater, Eliander Fireborn, and Anders Solmor) look to the rest of you expectantly. After the mention of drinks, Eliander clears his throat and says, "out with it. We haven't got all night. We can decide to have drinks after we hear your report that we've offered you 700 crowns for."
Badger winces knowing they had annoyed his commander. Badger looks to Argyri hoping she might speak up. He visibly gathers himself and lays out a full report.
He starts with a rather business like recounting of the location of the sea cave that the lizard folk are hold up in. One that another scout of sailor would easily understand, with leagues and time and trail signs mentioned. "Sure enough the cave was one of the entrances to the lizard folk village. They did not attack. Even though we rowed into the cave armed and didn't surrender arms when they asked. Not a welcome but even when we pushed back they led us into their queen, Othokent. I am not a diplomat so I'm gonna lay out plain. She inquired after the weapons that they had attempted to by from the smugglers. We went with the truth. That the smugglers were our enemies and that we confiscated all they had. She didn't like that. Demanded their weapons or their treasure back. We made it clear that our intent was to learn about them and why they were now so close to Saltmarsh. Why they were arming themselves? That we would be fools to return them the means to attack us if that was their intent. We bottom lined it. However we asked it they refused to say that would not attack us. They didn't say they would attack us, but they wouldn't even offer a 'we won't bother you if you don't bother us assurance.' Even when we told them that being unwilling to make such an assurance would be seen as threating they refused. They seem bothered by the loss of their treasure. We made it clear that they picked our enemies to deal with and we have no intention of honoring our enemies promises, especially when they won't even bother to say they won't turn them on Saltmarsh. Now we did offer to tell all of you that they want their stuff back. We made overtures of possibility of trade in the future and such. But no matter how much carrot we dangled on the stick. They wouldn't bother to offer a reassurance that they wouldn't be attacking us. They offered no reasoning behind their need for the weapons either. Though I think something has driven them from their homes further into the swamp. It ended rather tensely, but they let us go." He sighed.
"We didn't let it go there. We hoped to get a better look at the whole village and a better handle on the size of the tribe. So we sailed back toward Saltmarsh but then went ashore and into swamp. We hoped to get a look at the settlement or even talk to a lower caste lizard folk in the hopes they would give us some insight. We ran afoul of a couple gators and some frog people called Bullywugs. After we killed some and chased off more of the Bullywugs a patrol of the lizard folk found us. Only one approached our camp but he was with a half a dozen or so. Again not overly warm but no sign of open hostility. Though their opinion of us is low and very distrustful. They are enemies with the Bullywugs. They called the Bullywugs raiders. We told them to bring some of the trinkets from the Bullywugs to their queen. To show that we squared off with raiders who by their own warriors admission were there to kill them. We asked if something deeper in the swamp pushed them to the new village. They wouldn't say much. But its likely more than Bullywugs that drove them from their usual lands."
"They ain't gonna be our friends any time soon. But they didn't lift weapons against us either. Even when we returned after being told to leave. Twice we expected the pointy end of their welcome and instead we got a harsh reception but no hostility." He thinks a moment, "We don't know how that stubborn queen of theirs is gonna respond to the news that we were back again. She's savvy enough to know we were scouting, but she knows we killed their foes too. Though I would expect even if they aren't hostile they are likely to up heavy patrols. It was those heavy patrols that we assumed we'd not have a chance to get a look at their village. Its more than a war camp. They have kids there. I'd be surprised if its less than 50 lizard folk, could be more. I think they are more worried about what is behind them than us. And if they were gonna move against Saltmarsh they'd be fools not to have killed us."
"I been talking a lot more than I should." He chuckles, "I'm sure the others have some insight."
Kwin listens as Badger speaks, nodding at places. When he is done, he adds "I don't think Saltmarsh is what they are concerned about, since they did not kill us outright, and eventually let us go on our way."
"If the bullywug empire is inland to them and we are to the north, that means they must be worried about something from the south, out to sea, above or below. I don't think we can do much if it is above or below. We could try sailing south and see if we chance across something. We could try to contact the sea elves and see if they know of anything out to sea."
The councilors listen intently to Badger and Kwin. Eliander replies, "Well done. Very insightful. Not only do we have Lizardfolk threatening us, but we have a Bullywug Empire. Need to recruit more guards."
The senior councilor Eda adds, "They did not attack you with opportunity. And don't seem overly concerned with the bullywugs. Hmm. There is much to consider."
"Eliander will provide you the reward from the stores. Well done."
They are dissatisfied that you did not return with a clear answer to why the lizardfolk were buying weapons. But are satisfied for more information.
"We might scout out more of the area and see if any other threats keep the Lizardfolk on edge. They seem threatened and are not too keen on us proliferating their weapons. I say this only to say that maybe if we find out more we can revisit the negotiations if the other party is willing." Drusilla says finishing up as she then heads out with the rest.
Drusilla wanted to bring something more to the group and their ship than just her magic and her fishing ability. Having lived amongst the Snapping Line as a border and a part-time custodian, The Elf persuaded Hanna Rist to give her a crack at aiding the cooks.
At first, the woman had to peel potatoes and prep the various lobsters and crabs. She prepped the fish with deftness as she was a fisherman and knew how to break down a fish.
At night she worked on recording spells and researching spells. It was costly, but she was getting them down. This was on top of her magical custodial duties with Mending and Prestidigitation making her invaluable to Hanna.
New cuts and scrapes, burns and bruises formed with the rattle and clatter of pots and pans. Strangely the mage found a lot of the recipes and mixtures easy to process. Add in the temperatures and times it was a lot like spellcasting.
For 7 weeks Drusilla worked.( ) It was hard grueling work. However in the end it paid off. She could cook! The wizard could provide her friends and companions with food, and decent food.
Still, Drusilla fell short in trying to impress Hanna. The Scarred Elven woman wasn't the most impressive woman, be it in her figure or her looks. Many of which were distorted via scarring. It was disheartening, but the Elven woman wouldn't give up!
With the council meeting over Badger sought out Eliander, "We did more not so successful diplomacy than solid scouting of the village. I am sure the larger mystery about what might be happening deeper in the swamp is the new thing for us to learn about. I am going to talk to some of trappers and those that run the swamp and see if I can shake any other news up."
After finishing up with the commander he sought out his companions for drinks and unwinding.
The next day after a bath and getting clean Badger makes his way to the Sea Grove of Obad-Hai he catches up with other swamp runners, trappers and such he lets them know about the new lizard folk village, that they are not too friendly and that Bullywugs are running in the area as well. He inquires about news of deeper into the swamp what folks might have heard. He seeks out Ferrin, "How you doing, its been awhile. I understand yer a druid. Well I was wondering. Are you the kinda druid that can turn inta birds and such. Ya probably heard about the lizard folk village. They settled in a sea cave on the coast near the river." He laid out the basics of the location and asked about what might push the lizard folk this close to us. "Well we spoke to the lizard folk even to their queen. What we weren't able to see was how many of them are in their new village. I was hoping that someone that could fly over as a gull or crane might get a look. I could put some gold toward it."
"Oh. Hello, Badger." The somewhat melancholy halfling of middle years greets you. "No. I've not been blessed to fly yet. No, when I explore near the lizardfolk's new, old lair, I usually travel as a crocodile with Lorys (his bullfrog companion) on my shoulder. See crocodiles are holy to the lizardfolk, so I can get quite close."
"And the shrine always needs gold." He says with a sad smile.
A week after your return from the marsh, you receive an invitation for a drink at the Wicker Goat after supper. When you arrive, you are greeted by your companions and a free round of drink from the owner Lankus. After your party turns to asking who would be your host, Lankus points to a tall, lanky, and awkward half-orc. A single tusk juts out from his lower jaw. His warty skin contrasts with his fine, neat clothing. He introduces himself to you, "My name is Vertheg and represent Master Aubreck who has a business proposal for you. If you would be willing to hear it, I can escort you to his mansion."
"Oh. Hello, Badger." The somewhat melancholy halfling of middle years greets you. "No. I've not been blessed to fly yet. No, when I explore near the lizardfolk's new, old lair, I usually travel as a crocodile with Lorys (his bullfrog companion) on my shoulder. See crocodiles are holy to the lizardfolk, so I can get quite close."
"And the shrine always needs gold." He says with a sad smile.
Badger's face blanches pale, "Sacred!?!? Ya don't say." His mumbling continues quietly a string of curses, "Rasafracking . . ."
He smiles at the talk of need of gold. "Well I can help there." He offers 25 gold. "Free and clear." He pulls out 50 more. "If you took a closer look by their village and gave an accounting of its size I could offer this. I don't have much more to spare now but I can send some folk looking for healing potions your way."
"I know you won't take the 50 but I would be happy to spend it on a healing potion."
Having blown a bunch of money at the fracking Iuz store, which Badger hates knowing his gold is gonna help a demon army, but he can do some good for his folk close to home. He looks at his belt pouch empty and hooks up with some of the hunters that might be heading out for a bit.
At dinner Badger enjoys catching up with the companions and shares what he learned from visiting the Sea Grove. He nods and looks to them, "Well this might be worth more than another few days of hunting."
The warning was (apparently) taken seriously. Given that the group had been provided some much needed downtime, Tarn was forced to go through a crash course on learning how to actually fight. He was strong enough, to be sure. A lifetime of mining did that. And he had the basic training that all clansmen received, on how to fight in a militia. But now he had a role which was beyond that. In many ways, Tarn represented the Clan, and when he fought he had their honor on his back. As such, it was determined that he had to be able to live up to that distinction. The week went by with Tarn all but living inside of his armor, so that by the time he had to go out again, he would do so as a proper dwarf. From head to toe he would be in proper steel plate and with greathammer in hand! In addition, he was given, from the Clan holdings, a suit of clothes that were enchanted so that they would both clean and mend themselves. It was a gift that was determined to be necessary when the state of his current attire was noticed. In addition, it was decided that Tarn could not be trusted to properly care for his armor. While he was a natural on wearing and fighting in it, he did not have the attention to detail needed to truly clean it. His Clan elders decided that it would be a shame on them all if he returned to town looking like a walking heap of rust, and that it would be unfair to his armor for him to treat it that way. As such, runes were carved into his armor that would take care of the job for him. Rather than taking this as the insult it was, Tarn merely grinned at his good fortune, and happily paid the 'donation' needed to cover the materials and labor costs.
And finally, he was given a ring. A ring which he looked at in relief and wonder. Given that they had been on water more than once, it was decided that it would be a shame to lose another bearded warrior to the perfidy of the waves. Far too many a dwarven warrior had drowned, dragged down by the weight of their armor. The ring was not cheap, by any measure, but Tarn had enough gold from his travails to afford it. So long as he wore it, even with his armor he would be able to swim as if though he were native to the sea. While he hated the idea of being underwater, it was a huge relief to know that he would not fall prey to it. Such an insurance was worth it's weight in gold.
When all was said and done, Tarn had gone into the mines as a miner and had come out as a warrior. When the town needed him, he would be able to properly act as a representative of his Clan. It was enough to make him praise the Gods for his good fortune.
The warning was (apparently) taken seriously. Given that the group had been provided some much needed downtime, Tarn was forced to go through a crash course on learning how to actually fight. He was strong enough, to be sure. A lifetime of mining did that. And he had the basic training that all clansmen received, on how to fight in a militia. But now he had a role which was beyond that. In many ways, Tarn represented the Clan, and when he fought he had their honor on his back. As such, it was determined that he had to be able to live up to that distinction. The week went by with Tarn all but living inside of his armor, so that by the time he had to go out again, he would do so as a proper dwarf. From head to toe he would be in proper steel plate and with greathammer in hand! In addition, he was given, from the Clan holdings, a suit of clothes that were enchanted so that they would both clean and mend themselves. It was a gift that was determined to be necessary when the state of his current attire was noticed. In addition, it was decided that Tarn could not be trusted to properly care for his armor. While he was a natural on wearing and fighting in it, he did not have the attention to detail needed to truly clean it. His Clan elders decided that it would be a shame on them all if he returned to town looking like a walking heap of rust, and that it would be unfair to his armor for him to treat it that way. As such, runes were carved into his armor that would take care of the job for him. Rather than taking this as the insult it was, Tarn merely grinned at his good fortune, and happily paid the 'donation' needed to cover the materials and labor costs.
And finally, he was given a ring. A ring which he looked at in relief and wonder. Given that they had been on water more than once, it was decided that it would be a shame to lose another bearded warrior to the perfidy of the waves. Far too many a dwarven warrior had drowned, dragged down by the weight of their armor. The ring was not cheap, by any measure, but...
Hearing the name she smiles."I haven't heard the name Auberk in a long time! How is he doing? I heard a few things saying he ran afoul of some nefarious merchants and pirates!" She paused as she looked at the man and then blinked processing the information and then chuckles.
"Apologies Mr.Vertheg, I would gladly hear you out!" Drusilla says blushing a bit at her out pour of curiosity.
Kwin seems confused at the invitation, not knowing the people involved.
"I am new to Saltmarsh, and do not know of your... friend? Employer? But I'm willing to meet with him if my friends seem to have no reservations."
"What needs doing?"
"Excellent. Please finish your drinks and follow me. We have a short walk through town." The extremely polite butler replies.
After passing the councilors' (Oweland, Primewater, and Solmor) mansions, you arrive at a large, run down mansion. You meet Aubreck Drallion in fine clothes which haven't been fashionable for at least a year. His iron-gray hair is pulled back in a short ponytail, and his mustache is neatly tended. Vertheg shows you to seats obviously arranged for your number and offers you another round of drinks.
When you finally all settle down, Aubreck starts his proposal, "Fifteen days ago, I received word that my last ship, the Emperor of the Waves, has been spotted adrift in the southern sea, apparently a ghost ship. I've hired a ship and crew to sail to the derelict, the Soul of Winter. I need a salvage crew, and you come highly recommended."
"That ship holds a magic box containing promissory notes and property deeds worth a total of 100,000 gold crowns. That's most of my fortune. I will give you a 5% salvage fee to recover this box, 5,000 crowns for you to split." He sets a pouch down that looks like it is filled with four pounds of coins which sound golden when he sets them down on a table in front of you. "Here's an advance of 200 crowns for incidentals to leave on the next tide."
After a comfortable pause to read your nonverbal, he continues, "the box is made of a shiny blue metal. It is packed inside a wooden crate branded with a large letter A. The crate can easily be pried or broken open, but the box can't be opened except with a password known only to me."
"What do you say?"
Tarn nodded along. ” Wolgar Windrune.” He said to the others. ”Sturdy group of dwarves. And he could go higher on the reward to boot. Ye can tell by how eager he sounded when he gave the offer. Plus he could hire a crew like that. They don’t come cheap, aye?”
"I have heard of them. Prolific drinkers when at shore."Dru see the others and then looks down."At least that's what I hear at the Inn"
Insight
"It does sound quite risky. And for five percent? We've been trying to investigate threats to the town, and this would take us away for some time. I think we would like to help, but I'm just not sure this is a great time for us to go." He looks to the others for their opinion.