Baghotir will check him, briefly, for diseases and other maladies.
He'll then help him up and carry him up the ladder.
You start to check him over and... Please make a Wisdom Saving Throw.
Baghotir... You start to check him over. He stiffens. You have enough time to note how cold his skin is before... Before you look him in the eyes.
"I am just fine, Senor Baghotir. I do not need medical attention. But... I could use a drink. Perhaps just a quick one before..." he motions to, 'get on with it'.
Of course! He must be dying of thirst! Anything my friend wants.
Baghotir is Charmed.
His lips peel back and your friend's nose suddenly flattens. He has pointed teeth that descend upon you and he places the gentlest of kisses on your neck...
Baghotir takes points of piercing damage, and Necrotic damage. Your HP Maximum is reduced by the amount of Necrotic damage.
He finishes and looks stronger, healthier, more... Alive.
"Now... As you were, Senor. Of your own free will."
He climbs onto Baghotir, piggy back, and Baghotir climbs up the stairs. Once you're topside, Xolec slides off of Baghotir's back and the party gets a look at this... Man. He regards you all and nods, then falls to his knees, enthusiastic.
"Oh! Thank you, Friends! Thank you! I have been trapped down there a long time. You have done me the greatest of turns. What would you know? The Scarlet Brotherhood meets in this very shack, each week. And though they care nothing for me, they do speak... Loudly"
He looks surprisingly hale. Baghotir must have cast a healing spell on him.
Belwick, whose focus is on the Scarlet Brotherhood, gets to the point on that matter. "I'm trying to ensure I follow. You say you were imprisoned down there by a cleric of St. Cuthbert for being associated with the Scarlet Brotherhood, and now you say that they meet in this very shack? Which is it?"
This inconsistency has set Belwick on edge. He's not sure he trusts this man's honesty.
He smiles, as if he has not a care in this world.
Belwick's keen mind can find no holes in his story.
"A Fair bit of both, Senor. I was the subject of some... Let's call it, 'racism', and a Cleric of St. Cuthbert assumed the worst of me. They bound me to the basement. Then, while I was trapped there... The Scarlet Brotherhood would meet. A Scarlet Brother could not break the spell, so I remained hidden. But yes, they believed no one could hear them. But I could. I can tell you that they are all of Saltmarsh's most respected folk. You have a nest of vipers to uncover, my new friends."
Belwick doesn't like this news. "Very troubling. Do you recall names? There are many respected folk within Saltmarsh, but saying we've a nest of vipers unfortunately tells us little."
One other thing sticks in his mind. "How long were you down there?"
Baghotir offers his new friend food and drink - assuming he must be hungry and thirsty. He notices his own injury and assumes he must have caught a nail or the like and shrugs it off for now. This man isn't dangerous, so he'll heal later.
"Yes, names would be helpful. Descriptions even more-so, but I suppose you didn't see anyone from the pit."
Xolec smiles and it is very unsettling. If a person can have sharp edges, Xolec has sharp edges. You can't escape the feeling that he's... Weighing you is the best way I can describe it.
"No, gracias Senor Baghotir. I do not eat such fare. You have done me a turn, so I will do one in return. You should look up Skerrin Wavechaser. He has been a very bad boy. It is time I make my exit. I've been trapped down there a long time now--it feels like decades. You know how time is. Farewell, Senors."
He strolls out the door, whistling.
He stops suddenly and whispers to Baghotir.
Then he continues out the door.
Baghotir is sad to see him go, doubly so as it seems the party learned very little from him - considering the good turn done. But then, there are selfish people in the world. Perhaps Xolec is simply one of these.
"You sure you can't stay? I'd like to get to know you better, and I feel there is more information you could share with us."
Baghotir takes out one of his many hammers, but not his magical one, and nails the trap door shut once again. Nasty pit, no one else should suffer down there like that.
"No, Amigo. I have to much to do. You shouldn't follow--it is very dangerous."
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"Hold a moment, if you will," Belwick says, flummoxed by Xolec's behaviour. "You heard just one name, even having been down there for as long as you say? And... if you have been trapped down there for so long, and the Brotherhood did not feed you, then how is it you're alive?"
Skerrin Wavechaser does mean something to you. He is the chief retainer of Anders Solmor, Councilman and up-and-comer.
Xolec calls back but doesn't look, "Keledek The Unspoken, Ingo The Drover. I'm alive because I'm unstoppable."
Belwick watches Xolec go, struggling to make sense of what's going on. He's just walking away, so nonchalant.
"Well then, uh, good luck I guess. We'll look into this information. The city of Saltmarsh will be free of this evil."
"What the f+$# just happened?"
Venn's gimlet eyes focus on the thing as it leaves. Venn's purpose is clear, and there's a present danger. Nevertheless, he focuses and memorizes as much as he can, for this will not be the last he sees of the silver-tongued terror.
"Well, we have a few names to follow up on, but it would have been good if we could have questioned him further. Nice guy, if a little cold."
Baghotir suggests too that the names may have been dropped by the enemy on purpose to throw the group off the scent, so they should be cautious. Still, those three should be questioned carefully.
"We need to find evidence against these names. We can't bring them in based on this alone." Caelius thinks of all the paperwork he will have to do now. "What else was down there Baghotir. Any other rooms or maybe we need to check this shack."
"Yes, what exactly was down there? This whole place radiates magic, and that cannot be a coincidence."
"Just some dead rats and such. We shouldn't go down there though. Nothing good will come of it." Baghotir seems clear that the party should not investigate the pit further.
"We should investigate these names, and see what we can learn. Maybe stop back another evening to see if they still even meet here."
"I can agree about evidence, but if we get too caught up with the idea of being city watchmen we'll have them slipping through our grasp. We need to ask questions of them though, and it might be Anders Solmor can make a discreet conversation possible. At least with Skerrin, whose name I recognize."
"Baghotir, you know me. I respect your conclusion, but I think it best if I use my specific talents to check it out, even if only a cursory check."
"It's dangerous. Our friend said it's not safe, and I believe him. We shouldn't go down there again."
If he sees Venn is serious about his desire, he seeks to delay him further, "At least let's not do it tonight. Let's at least wait for daylight, shall we?"
Well, let's see if we can find our new friends.
Alisanne makes her way back into town and head's for The Empty Nest. She'll approach Kreb and ask if he can direct her to Skerrin Wavechaser, Keledek The Unspoken, or Ingo The Drover.
"Aye. I can wait for daylight. Besides we have investigating to do closer to home."
"Yup, Baghotir is right. There is no point stumbling around in the dark. Someone gets seriously injured it will be difficult to get them some help." Caelius stretches. "Let's go get some sleep and start the morning off tracking downa nd talking to these people. On the way we can discuss what exactly we are going to ask them."
Satisfied he's done what he can to aid all his friends, Baghotir turns in for the night. He tries to think of good plans for tomorrow, to run down those names and see what can be learned.
When he gets together with the others, he doesn't have many suggestions. "We should find out who each person is first off. Not sure how to investigate from there, but knowing who they are is a good step I think."
"Do we want to split up and ask around. Each group take a name? That way we can cover more ground."
He offers to help research Ingo The Drover, but someone else should lead 'cause he's not good at this sort of thing.
The party returns to town and rests. You can each gain the benefit of a long rest.
Alisanne's criminal contacts reveal the following:
Skerrin Wavechaser is Anders Solmor's chief of staff. He seems uptight and very dedicated to Anders Solmor. He is clean as a whistle.
Keledek The Unspoken is the resident wizard of Saltmarsh. He lives in his tower and is generally not trusted by the folk of Saltmarsh. He is an immigrant from Ket, and stands over 7 feet tall. Keledek is a close associate of Gellan Primewater, and definitely has dealing with smugglers. He's often looking for very esoteric items, and Kreb thinks they must be spell components.
Ingo The Drover is a mystery to Kreb. What he knows is that Ingo is DEFINITELY ex-military from somewhere. He's close with Captain Eliander Fireborn and the two have a good relationship, often meeting for drinks and dragonchess or drinks and cards. Ingo keeps completely neutral in local politics, but is a good source for hiring guards, mercs, marines or other muscle.
Belwick, Iliza is not at your place when you return.
Baghotir is, especially for a dwarf, surprisingly pleasant company. He makes an effort to become interested in your interests - and manages to do it without seeming insincere. I mean sure, all that training in the church had to sink in at least a little bit...
He politely inquires about Ingo The Drover. Who he is, maybe a bit more about his business interests. Whether he's highly ranked in an evil cult in town... you know, whatever people know. :) He'll start in the bars where military folk tend to hang out.
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The Necrotic reduction (mmmm... Reduction) is gone after a long rest.
The charm has a 24 hour duration.
Venn wants to duck out and go back to check the building...
Disappointed but not completely surprised, Belwick nonetheless retrieves his conch and speaks the activation word to perform a magical sending. "Iliza dear, please tell me that everything is going... as well as it could be. I'm back home, but only briefly."
Alisanne shares what she's learned with the others over breakfast.
Baghotir, you learn all that Alisanne did about Ingo, AND... that there's going to be a darts tournament at The Wicker Goat this week. Ingo and Captain Fireborn have both let it be known that they intend on winning.
Belwick, the sending comes back: "Ah... Shoot... Ah... Damn three words all ready... ARRRRGGGHHH... (deep breath)... Under House Arrest. Idiot thinks me bewitched. Refuses to listen. Please come. Defend honor. Love You."
Venn, I messaged you in slack. I need more info.
Alisanne, you're delightful.
Caelius, you're a heck of a guy.
At breakfast Belwick is barely able to focus on the revelations provided by Alisanne and Baghotir. "My friends, I think we need to take advantage of the tournament somehow. But all that needs to wait, at least for me."
The nobleman pauses before spilling on his situation. "Iliza is being held captive by one of her own, one Gatren Em. They are a notable member of merfolk society, bearing the titles of 'Lord of Deep-Water Current, Prince of Shoals, and Knight of The Seas'. This makes them something of a warrior of renown. But they appear to also be something of an idiot, and unable to take a hint. They are using the term 'house arrest', but that is nothing more than imprisonment. I must deal with this immediately."
"With that said, I welcome your company. I expect this to be resolved diplomatically, but having you all present to vouch for my character would go a long way."
Venn...
Around back of the shed, there's an open bulkhead It looks to have been concealed by debris and dirt before. You proceed down, weapon drawn.
Several crates have been smashed open. There are drag marks indicating that several more have been moved, one of them must have been quite large. There are a large, LARGE number of desiccated and skeletal rat corpses. Something made an attempt at keeping them in one corner of the basement.
You wagon or cart tracks out back. Someone removed several large, heavy crates from this basement last night. You follow the wagon tracks and they lead back to the main road through town.
You double back to crabber's cove, no longer having a viable trail to follow... And find a hastily made shallow grave, dug out of the way behind a shed. Inside are the bodies of two men, both a deathly pale with strange smiles on their faces. You do not recognize them, but from their dress and appearance, they are dock workers or fishers or maybe pirates. A couple of big guys, just into their second decade.
"Yeah, sure thing Baron. I did some investigation on this Ingo The Drover fellow. He seems OK, so likely a wild goose chase. I wonder about the others too. Seems our friend in the pit was fed bad information. Might as well do your thing while we figure out what leads to try next."
He shrugs, and wonders what diplomacy is going to look like with the merfolk.
"Of course Baron. If Iliza is in trouble then I will accompany you to investigate this house arrest." Caelius offers his protective services. "This back underwater again?"
"Of course Baron. If Iliza is in trouble then I will accompany you to investigate this house arrest." Caelius offers his protective services. "This back underwater again?"
"It's likely, though I can once more ensure that I cast the spells necessary to grant you water breathing abilities like the merfolk. It'll take a few minutes is all."
Belwick's smile is full of gratitude. "Thank you both for your willingness to help. I value greatly the friendships this group has revealed."
"Bloody hell, I should have insisted last night." Talking to himself, Venn commits their faces to memory. The vampire must pay.
Frustrated and hungry for some righteous vengeance, Venn returns to town.
We got your back, Belwick, so that she can have your front. And back too maybe. I won't judge. I assume we need to leave immediately? Do you know how to get to where she's being held?
Venn says nothing of his late arrival, and simply gets caught up. "Indeed, we have many people to save. We save your one, then we save many more."
They are nearby to Saltmarsh, in the cove set aside for visiting Merfolk dignitaries, assuming they haven't just swam off with Iliza. You will need a way to breathe if you enter the cove.
Baghotir waits for the Baron's magics, though he also has a couple vials of water breathing in case of emergency. He hopes though that no blood will be shed - just a conversation. After all, these are allies...
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"Baghotir, I see the look in your eyes. It's the look of hope for peace. I too hope for peace, but what I don't see is the tempering of reality in your gaze. First come smiles, then lies. Finally comes the blade and bow. Be ready."
Baghotir nods, "Aye, but we don't want to threaten the alliance, so freshly inked. We may need to back off, at least this first foray. To show respect for the alliance, and our interest in avoiding foolishg bloodshed."
"But I take your meaning, and my hammer shall be ready in my hand should we need it."
Belwick sets to the task of casting the spell to ensure that Caelius, Alisanne, and Venn can breathe underwater. It's far too slow for his tastes, but the ranger's words sit poorly with him. Could it be that Gatren means to fight about this? If I walk in there, unprepared, it could mean ill tidings for my friends...
He says little, though his expression says it all as he holds his spellbook while performing the rituals. The baron is nervous.
"Alright, let's make our way to the merfolk cove. I mean to start with the dignitaires there, and it's likely where Gatren would be were he here."
Belwick leads the way.
You make your way to the Merfolk Cove. You approach and hear jumping fish. A few moments later, the impressive Locathah you met before emerges. He hops out on his little flippers.
"Ah. Baron Belwick Donnamoor and Companions. Am I right in the assumption that you are here to answer the challenge, as issued by Lord Sir Gatren? I shall need announce you. Please list your names, and how you'd like to be introduced, and I shall escort you to the court of My Lord, where you will be received and the charges and challenge will be addressed. You may take this time to prepare, and I will assist you in any way I can. I am also an excellent source of information, should you have any questions. My name is Fitzfin Dellaroe, and I am Lord Sir Gatren's chief aide. Have you chosen a second?"
Belwick sighs. "Is violence truly the way the merfolk people solve conflict? Because no, I do not mean to battle your liege lord. I would like to speak with him, provide information to him and make a case. I bring with me people who can speak to my character, as I suspect I have been unfairly maligned. Would that be possible, Mister Dellaroe?"