Youth Meet 19, Adv 2, 7/20/18

Long delay on this one because I actually thought I wrote it weeks ago. Had to take a few weeks off on the youth’s game for summer trips and whatnot, but this was the wrap up meeting for Saltmarsh. My games are living worlds and things happen when the party is involved and even when they are not. In this case, the centerpiece was the death of Magnus’ short-lived squire, Darveig, and his family’s response to it I’d like to put a nail in Saltmarsh this next meeting and get the group on their way to Adv 3 – Dunwater.

Write up follows:

The party, under the tutelage of Ned Shakeshaft, managed to guide the taciturn Sea Ghost back towards shore and eventually the Saltmarsh docks. It was after 3 in the morning at this time and the group was beyond exhausted. Kurly Lodbrock, the Wharfmaster, was waiting for us; the dwarven seaman was watching our lanterns for some time, his longshoremen waiting to help tie the large vessel to the end of the first quay.

Besides Kurly and his boys, were a few members of the watch and the Councilwoman, Dowager Lynn Coopersmith, who was pleased to see us return with the Ghost in hand. We shared with the Dowager what happened and the death of the Smuggler Siggurd Snake-eyes and some of the other smugglers. We also had to share the escape of the Bosun Frithoff and the other two (Smuggler and Lizardman), letting them know they had escaped us over an hour ago. Kurly sent some of his men to check the other docks while we observed some of the unloading of our goods, who returned to let us know the jolly boat had been found on another dock, but no one was there or inside.

Exhausted, we made our way to the Saucy Winter Wench where we learned the Dowager and the rest of the Council had picked up our lodging costs for the next 2 weeks, and after getting to our room, crashed for the night.

The next morn, Earthmonth the 20th, was bright and cooler, and we broke our fast while Deja went through the coinage we had acquired and gave everyone a divided share. We saved a half share for Darveig and planned on giving it to his family today at the burial ceremony. We discussed some of the other goods we had found, talked about selling them, and then learned that we were invited to debrief with the Council on what occurred.

We were given a reward for our efforts in capturing the Sea Ghost and putting the situation to bed. And we were then told that the Council was going to spend a few weeks going over the Ghost, what logs we had brought back, and the various trade caravans and suppliers to see if they could get a better handle on the Dunwater situation. We were told to enjoy a few weeks off and then we would be given a mission to go to Dunwater and displace the 3rd leg of the smuggling operation – the destination – and along with Oceanus, learn what’s going on with the Lizardmen in the area and why the Order of the Kraken was arming them and interested in them.

From there we went to the Saltmarsh Cemetery where Hjarlod was officiating over the internment of Darveig, with Magnus and Veldryn adding their own parts to the somber affair. The young smuggler cum squire’s ill and wheelchair bound mother and older brother were here, looking at the party and Magnus with ill-disguised hatred. When Magnus finally had a chance to talk to Gjulprid and Handaring, he was accosted verbally by the two, told about how he failed to do his job and protect their son, and his actions had led to his death.

He tried to defend himself and then realized the futility of it – it WAS his fault on some plane and he did lead Darveig to his death. It was a heavy mantle for the paladin to bear and he did so with grace, dignity, and piety. At the end of the ceremony he had asked Veldryn to deliver Darveig’s share of the treasure to his family and the Speaker for the Dead did so, learning more of Darveig’s life and that of his brother Handaring. How Darveig’s father had died at sea and now Gjulprid was torn at losing another family member to the cruel waters.

We all reconvened and there was talk of heading off to talk to the town Notary and representative of the Arcanum about the books we had found, hoping that Pinelaquin could help the group.